AFFIRMATION
22nd Mar 2023
We have been watching a five part programme entitled “The Piano” on Channel 4. Each week takes place at a mainline railway station where a piano is placed at the centre of the entrance hall and amateur pianists are invited to perform. What they don’t know is that two famous pianists Lang Lang and Mika are listening to them from a hidden location. Each time one performer was selected to play at a concert which was held at the Royal Festival Hall.
All those chosen had come through major challenges in life which could have sunk them. What impressed me was the power of affirmation. The enthusiasm and encouragement given by the judges and presenter was wonderful, and you could see these amateur pianists blossom as they received words of praise and joy. The concert was a triumph and very emotional. The performer who was acclaimed best was a blind and autistic teenage girl who gave a stunning performance.
Affirmation is very powerful. When Jesus was in the house of Simon the Leper, “a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume…. and poured it on his head.” (Mark 14:3) This caused quite a negative reaction among the gathered company, but Jesus broke into the conversation and said, “Leave her alone…She has done a beautiful thing to me.” v 6 That affirmation was life changing for that woman.
This happened to me many years ago. I was young and lacking in self-belief and confidence. I was on the team of a beach mission in North Wales, and as we gathered together to prepare for the weeks ahead, I was totally insecure about my role or value. As Dai Lewis the leader began to outline the strategy for the mission, he turned to me and said, “Charles will lead the Holiday Club.” I was flabbergasted, but also thrilled that he saw something in me that I hadn’t believed was there. His affirmation that day was life changing.
We often see folk who are doing a great job in roles that are “below the radar” and we say nothing. A few years ago our Events Leader at Living Waters Church organised a great day out, which was brilliant and clearly a resounding success. I went to her during the event and said, “Suzi, this is a wonderful day, you’ve done a brilliant job.” She looked surprised, but the smile on her face showed that the words were life affirming for her and very important.
Whose life will you change but your words of praise and affirmation?
by Charles Sibthorpe
