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My friend is an artist and she has been laughing at me for years. Every time I try a new artistic medium I expect to instantly be an expert. I get frustrated and complain when I can't play the piano or write or dance perfectly within a few sessions. I've heard of that unconscious "zone" where artists say they experience pure creative energy. It's like their work comes from another place, perhaps even directly from God. They describe disappearing into beauty, then re-emerging a few minutes later... "Where was I? What was that?" I long for that experience of God but never bother developing the proficiency required to go unconscious and allow beauty to flow through my body.
Last month I was listening to Spotify, my usual vehicle for connecting with God, and I heard the oddly shaped instrument you see pictured above. It's called a hand pan. I know, really dorky name. It was invented only about a decade ago in Switzerland. It's like an inverted steel drum. But you play with your fingertips and thumbs. It's very basic and easy to play. It has beautiful harmonics and when I watched a couple dudes playing it on YouTube I told myself, "That's the instrument for me." I won't even have to practice.
Well I still can't play like those guys on YouTube, but I can disappear into that magical God zone. That is Grace to me. Even a lazy, undisciplined "artist" like me can tap into the beauty of God. I just had to keep it simple and find my medium.