Written by As Jeff and I pulled into the parking lot of the small outdoor amphitheater just minutes before the concert started, I wondered if we had gotten the date wrong. Instead of crowds of people lined up around the entrance, no one was in sight. As we power-walked to the front gate, I double-checked my e-ticket to see if we had gotten the time wrong. Nope. It was 7:55 pm, and the concert started at 8:00.
Weird. Once again, I examined my ticket to ensure I had booked the correct show. We were supposed to see a Grammy-award-winning artist, yet we had plenty of time to put down our lawn chairs and even check out the drinks offerings before the show started. It was a tiny crowd. Although thrilled that we didn’t have to slink in late and be relegated to sitting at the back of the lawn, I inwardly worried about what we had gotten ourselves into. I mean, what kind of award-winning artist isn’t able to draw a crowd in Ogden, Utah, for goodness’ sake?
Although I understand that bluegrass music is not everyone’s cup of tea, the featured artist, Michael Cleveland, is not only a Grammy award-winner but he was also named Fiddle Player of the Year by the International Bluegrass Music Association a record 12 times. This distinction alone was enough to overcome the fact that neither Jeff nor I are huge bluegrass fans. We came because we wanted to see an artist who was at the top of his game.
An even bigger draw for us—besides the fact that we are suckers for an outdoor summer concert—was the fact that Cleveland was born blind and is eighty percent deaf in one ear and 25% deaf in the other. He began learning to play by ear at only four years old after his grandparents took him to a bluegrass festival. I don’t know about you, but I cannot resist the story of an underdog who makes it big. Witnessing someone who overcomes significant challenges in life allows me to get swept up in a vortex of hope that somehow shifts how I see the world. That’s what I signed up for (and received) when we purchased tickets to see the blind and deaf fiddler.
What I wasn’t expecting, though, was to get smacked in the face with beauty.
Although Michael’s physical characteristics could not be described as “beautiful” compared to current cultural standards, from the moment his banjo player led him onto the stage, I encountered one beautiful moment after another in his presence. I hope that I can convey what I saw, heard, and felt in a manner that allows you to encounter that beauty as well.
Before I describe my experience, let me share my (adopted) working definition of beauty. In The Soul of Desire, Dr. Curt Thompson defines beauty as:
“That which draws our attention with wonder and welcome and that ultimately leads us to worship—not worship of the object itself but worship of God in gratitude, humility, and joy. “
That is precisely what happened to me at the concert and as a result, my life improved for the better. Let me explain how.
- As the banjo player guided the star fiddler onto the stage and positioned him in front of the microphone, I was reminded of my own connection to and dependence on others. That sentiment was further solidified as Michael’s whole band—banjo, guitar, mandolin, and double bass players—all took turns displaying their incredible individual talent throughout the evening. The show was not just about Michael. Cleveland’s genius was made more evident by the fantastic musicians who surrounded him. And isn’t that true for all of us? We need partnership and collaboration with others to fully connect with our purpose, talent and calling. And that is a beautiful thing!In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul illustrates this point by using a picture of the body:
“The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor…
…there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Cor 12:21-23; 25-26)
As I watched the interplay of Cleveland with his bandmates, I saw a glimpse of the beautiful way that God connects us with others and that brought me joy.
My second encounter with beauty evolved as I witnessed the whole band, and more specifically Michael, doing what they were made to do. Cleveland is one of those people who knew his purpose as a child, nevering letting his disability derail his dream. In an interview on MSNBC, Michael recounts that as a young child, he would sleep with his ear on a speaker that was piping out bluegrass music. “Bluegrass is all I ever wanted to do,” he said. The look of pure delight on his face as he played with the precision of a master was a compelling and joyful sight to behold.
Seeing someone live out their purpose is beautiful.
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A third way I experienced beauty was through the unity of the crowd. The standing ovation at the end of the concert confirmed what I had witnessed throughout the evening: everyone was enjoying themselves…together. A joyful atmosphere flooded the amphitheater with most of us foot-tapping or head bobbing along; some sang while others danced. As my readers in the U.K. would say, it was a “jolly-good time.” The best part is, the crowd experienced that together. As we all stood at the end of the show to roar our approval, I got a lump in my throat as tears came to my eyes. As corny as it sounds, I felt warm and fuzzy all over. I left the show feeling grateful, humble and joyful. Weirdly, I also felt connected to everyone else there. Music is a beautiful unifier.
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Finally, as I thought about the impact that Cleveland’s family had on his life, I felt deep gratitude for how my family has influenced me and how in turn, I get to pour into my own family and friends. While families can sometimes be a source of pain and harm, God designed family to be a vehicle of beauty and blessing in the world. Cleveland’s grandparents blessed him by sharing their love of bluegrass music with a most unlikely future musician. This resulted in countless others coming face-to-face with the beauty of Michael Cleveland. For this I am grateful.
Encountering beauty is bound to change you, even if only for the moment! I encourage you to open yourself up to encounter beauty this week. Remember, beauty is that which draws our attention with wonder and welcome and that ultimately leads us to worship—not worship of the object itself but worship of God in gratitude, humility, and joy.
Next week we will pick up this topic again but in the meantime, Where did you encounter beauty this week? Please share!👇🏻