One of the nice things about live jazz music is how all the band members get to do individual solos, after which the band leader will usually say their name so they get acknowledged with applause while the song is still going.
It isn’t always that way.
Raphael Ravenscroft is hardly a household name, but he was the musician who gave the world the soaring saxophone line in the 1978 hit ‘Baker Street’. The writer and singer Gerry Rafferty made millions from the single, but Raphael was paid just £27 for his studio work that day, and it’s told that even the cheque bounced! The video below is included with a dedication to his memory. Raphael died last year.
In truth, life is full of unsung heroes, ‘little’ people who don’t get much credit. Anonymous and unrecognized they carry on with a thousand small unglamorous acts of duty and service every day.
Our reading in church last Sunday was from the Book of Acts 11 about New Testament character Barnabas, who never became a ‘star’ preacher like Peter or Paul, but was nevertheless a good, Spirit-filled churchbuilder, albeit more in the background.
The Old Testament Book of Proverbs talks a lot about wise and foolish people and finishes interestingly by extolling the virtues of a good wife and mother. We’re not even told her name, but her husband and family thank God for her and the happy home she has created with her constant, faithful good work and influence. I think the principle could be extended to other contexts too.
We don’t have to be famous to do something of lasting value.
This thought today goes out for all the unsung heroes who may be feeling undervalued. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, cleaners, secretaries, drivers and saxophone players whose names may never appear in lights but who are precious nonetheless. Don’t underestimate yourself or what you do.
I’m reminded the New Testament urges us to do ‘whatever our hand finds to do with all our might (to the best of our ability) as if we’re doing it for the Lord, not just human beings. (Colossians 3 v 23-24)
Mindful of this-
That some things which seem small and unimportant to this world are more than significant in the eyes of our Maker and Judge. Jesus promised that not even a small cup of cold water given as kindness and mercy in His name would be without its heavenly reward! (Matthew 10v 42. Mark 9 v 41)
So let’s resolve to notice the unsung heroes around us every day, and encourage them with a smile and word of praise and appreciation.
They might be the next Raphael.
It isn’t always that way.
Raphael Ravenscroft is hardly a household name, but he was the musician who gave the world the soaring saxophone line in the 1978 hit ‘Baker Street’. The writer and singer Gerry Rafferty made millions from the single, but Raphael was paid just £27 for his studio work that day, and it’s told that even the cheque bounced! The video below is included with a dedication to his memory. Raphael died last year.
In truth, life is full of unsung heroes, ‘little’ people who don’t get much credit. Anonymous and unrecognized they carry on with a thousand small unglamorous acts of duty and service every day.
Our reading in church last Sunday was from the Book of Acts 11 about New Testament character Barnabas, who never became a ‘star’ preacher like Peter or Paul, but was nevertheless a good, Spirit-filled churchbuilder, albeit more in the background.
The Old Testament Book of Proverbs talks a lot about wise and foolish people and finishes interestingly by extolling the virtues of a good wife and mother. We’re not even told her name, but her husband and family thank God for her and the happy home she has created with her constant, faithful good work and influence. I think the principle could be extended to other contexts too.
We don’t have to be famous to do something of lasting value.
This thought today goes out for all the unsung heroes who may be feeling undervalued. Mothers, fathers, wives, husbands, cleaners, secretaries, drivers and saxophone players whose names may never appear in lights but who are precious nonetheless. Don’t underestimate yourself or what you do.
I’m reminded the New Testament urges us to do ‘whatever our hand finds to do with all our might (to the best of our ability) as if we’re doing it for the Lord, not just human beings. (Colossians 3 v 23-24)
Mindful of this-
That some things which seem small and unimportant to this world are more than significant in the eyes of our Maker and Judge. Jesus promised that not even a small cup of cold water given as kindness and mercy in His name would be without its heavenly reward! (Matthew 10v 42. Mark 9 v 41)
So let’s resolve to notice the unsung heroes around us every day, and encourage them with a smile and word of praise and appreciation.
They might be the next Raphael.
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