7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. 

8 This is why it[a] says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”[b]

9 (What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions[c]? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

These “grace-gifts” are supernaturally given. That impartation of the gift to the believer- whatever it is – is a supernatural event, not an ability manufactured and created by us. i think I am an example of this.

In 2001, I was fired from a very lucrative job in the communications industry. Subsequently I went through bankruptcy and nearly lost everything. I am not exaggerating when I say that was the most humiliating time in my life. Yet… through all of that,  I drew closer to God than I had ever been before, and something strange happened. For some unknowing reason, I walked into  a local music store and asked if they needed a guitar teacher. Pretty nervy move as  I had not touched the guitar in almost 20 years. Honestly, it made no sense.

Inexplicably, within a very short period of time a fire was lit in me to become a music teacher. There was no path to teach in the public school system – instead there were small opportunities in churches and the homeschool community. I needed money, so I took every opportunity that presented itself.

Soon I was teaching private lessons at a church as well as music classes in  Homeschool co-ops. Did I mention I needed money? I was completely in mercenary mode, certain that another more lucrative tech-related opportunity would arrive, so all I had to do was keep the lights on and food on the table until that time.However, as I started teaching, the desire to teach and the ability to teach music exploded in me, seemingly out of nowhere. I fell in love with teaching music. Before this, I had no desire to teach music… and then,.. I did. Though not as spectacular as the bestowal of gifts on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2, it was no less life-changing. This was not something I decided to be. Being a music teacher was something God transformed me into. This was NEVER on my map for what I was going to do with my life. This was God’s grace-gift to me, totally unmerited or earned, intended for use in the body of Christ.

 11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, 

As a result of God’s grace gifts to the Church, these gifted individuals are raised up in order to equip the Church. Until recently, I just blithely assumed that the role of the teacher on this list was that of a Bible teacher only. And I truly believe that was the intent within the context of this letter. But today as I read this passage, it occurred to me that Paul left off any identifier, as in “Bible Teacher”. The subject matter of the teacher in this list is not mentioned. What IS mentioned is the supernatural giving of this gift. And the reason for that gift. 

1. God gave the gift… Teaching music to the Christian Homeschool community as an opportunity and a passion just “showed up”. I did not plan it. God gave the gift.
2. To equip His people for works of service –  Many of my students are serving in churches and ministries around the country, touching thousands with their service.

This gift isn’t the result of years of school and studies. One minute I was …  me… and the next moment I was still me, but with a passion for teaching and a drive to teach which was not there before. One minute ago I could not have cared less. Now – I do. Not only was there an overwhelming desire to teach, I had an insatiable desire to learn. I went back to college (at 53 years of age!) and earned a Bachelor’s, and two Masters Degrees.

That is my story of how I became a music teacher to Christian children for the last 22 years.  I believe I am on this list as a teacher, preparing the next generation of believer-musicians for service in the Body of Christ.

so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ

14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 

16 From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Each member of the Body has a gift, and uses that gift to do their part to bring about maturity in the Body of Christ. My part in the overall scheme of things is to be an unnamed supporting ligament, teaching music to children in the Church.

As a result of over 22 years of doing so, I have students in varying degrees of service serving in church music ministries all around the country. On any given Sunday, thousands of worshippers are led into praise via the efforts of young musicians I have trained.

Here’s the kicker…. nobody knows who I am. I am not famous, nor even moderately well known. I have written no books, I have recorded no albums, yet on any given Sunday thousands of people are worshipping in services where some of my former and current students are involved. I am TOTALLY fine with this state of affairs.

As I have said before…

“I would rather die anonymous to the world, arriving in the presence of God to hear ‘Well done!’ than to die with the whole world shouting my name only to arrive at the Throne of God and hear ‘Paige who? I never knew you.’ ”

Every believer has a part to do. Me? I am an anonymous guitar and music teacher to the Church. I’m ok with that.

Blessings!

Paige