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Minister Farrakhan and the Beethoven Concerto

Writer's picture: Staci SweetStaci Sweet

In the pre-interview with ‘…an Indonesian classical violinist and pianist’ referred to as ‘…one of the rare classical…multi-instrumentalist’, [1]Ayke Agus, tell of how working for Minister Farrakhan came at a price. With a cross of Jesus Christ brandished across her wall, she told of how she lost both opportunities and friends during the months that lead to his performance at the 250th anniversary of Ludwig Beethoven. To think that as an Indonesian woman there’d be those who’d penalize her for teaching Minister Farrakhan is both concerning and disheartening. I wondered did they banish her because he practices Islam, is the leader of the Nation of Islam, or because he is a Black man? But that’s not why I’m writing today.


I’m writing because as I watched Minister Farrakhan perform, I sat in amazement. There he stood regally, playing the Stradivarius on his 88th birthday and all I could think was, “Look at God!” But then I wondered, his god or mine?


As he continued to play, I couldn’t help but smile and think of how beautifully he plays and how what he played had to come from within. But then I remembered Mrs. Agus say that “the sound that comes out of your instrument is the mirror of your soul”, to which she only heard, “love and the truth.” But as I continued to stare, I wondered which God put it there?


The fact that he was playing the Cello Sonata No. 2 in G Minor, Op. 63, Allegro, in D Major, Larghetto and Rondo, Allegro which are considered the most difficult pieces of music for any professional musician to learn, and yet, there Minister Farrakhan stood, playing the concerto effortlessly, skillfully, beautifully, while standing so regally, and again I wondered who gave him that gift?



As a Bible reading, Holy Spirit filled, tongue talking Christian, I was taught that we were superior to other religions. To hear me say that is sobering because it sounds supremist and goes against everything Jesus represents. So as I watched in amazement, I felt a certain way because I didn’t understand how someone who didn’t serve my god could do what he was doing. I almost felt as if I shouldn’t watch. But then I knew there was a lesson to be learned and if I’d just wait, the Holy Spirit would begin to teach. And sure enough in a matter of minutes, He answered my question as He reminded me that God is Louis Farrakhan’s Maker and Creator. Before he was ever a minister, Louis (no disrespect) was created in the likeness and image of God. And that gift of speech and Stradivarian playing came from the Most High because…


“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. – James 1:17


My God gave the Minister that gift. How he uses it and who he uses it for is totally up to him. But the beauty and the regality in which I saw him play came from the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The strength that it took for him to play and the recollection of the composition, came from the God of David. His god didn’t give him that. My God did. To whom he gives the credit and glory is totally up to him. And this is where we all intersect.


Everyday you and I have a choice as to who we serve and what we chose to do with our gifts. Romans 11:29 says that, ‘…the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.’ Repentance is only available through the Lord Jesus Christ of whom Minister Farrakhan does not recognize as the One who bore His sins. Therefore, there’s no need for him to repent. Neither should we think that his gift (violin playing) and his calling (to speak and to preach) aren’t in operation because he doesn’t serve our God. God’s gifts will work even when those working them don’t work for Him. But you have a decision to make. Will you use your gift for God?


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SOURCE

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayke_Agus

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