John P. Coltrane was considered by many to be the best sax player ever. Describes an encounter with God he had in 1957 while playing “A Love Supreme”. He said “I experienced by the grace of God, a spiritual awakening which was to lead me to a richer, fuller, more productive life. At that time, in gratitude, I humbly asked to be given the means and privilege to make others happy through music.”
After his masterful performance of “A Love Supreme”, Coltrane reportedly walked off stage, quietly saying to himself, “Nunc dimittis,” a Latin reference to the prayer of Simeon in Luke 2:29–30, “Lord, now let your servant depart in peace according to your word. For my eyes have seen your salvation”…
Coltrane saw his ability as a divine gift from God and he offered his abilities as a form of worship. I have learned that when we forget about ourselves and place Jesus first, then others, second and ourselves last, we will experience the touch and presence of God. From this we get the acronym for JOY (Jesus – Others – Yourself). In other words, Colossians 3:23-24 says,
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”
Do what you do for the Lord, as an act of worship and not for the applause of people and not just for payment. Your greatest payment and reward will be God’s smile upon your life. He will fill your soul in such a way that no one else and nothing else could… In fact with so much satisfaction, that you will have a “Nunc Dimittis” day!