The great pianist Paderewski (1860-1941) was in London for a concert. Joseph Parker, a pastor who was quite an accomplished musician himself, attended the performance. The minister was so moved by what he heard that he did a strange thing when he returned home. Standing by his piano, Parker called to his wife, "Bring me an ax! Today I heard great music for the first time. By comparison, what I can do amounts to nothing at all. I feel like chopping my piano to pieces."

Parker did not follow through, of course, but he realized that he could never be a Paderewski by simply following his example. He would need Paderewski's hands—yes, the very soul of the great musician.

As followers of Christ, we know that we can never live up to the "performance" of the Lord Jesus, our Great Example. We might even feel like giving up in despair. But because Christ lives in us, we have what we need to keep growing toward spiritual maturity and Christlikeness.

The apostle Paul wrote, "Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Gal. 2:20).

Yes, Christ is our pattern, but thank God, He is more. He is also our power.  — Richard De Haan