As a musician, singer, songwriter and worship leader, Jon Abel’s world has revolved around his ability to play guitar. As far as his career and job goes he has been completely dependent on his ability to play those six strings. It’s how he makes a living and a huge part of his identity.
Jon’s hard work and commitment to his craft have paid off big. He has a manager in Nashville, on going record deals, and even a gold record for a song he wrote that fellow Christian artist Chris Tomlin performs. For Jon, to play the guitar and lead in contemporary worship is not just a hobby but a passion which makes him truly feel alive and significant.
A Mowed Down Dream
When Jon was a kid, he was taught to put up the lawn mower after the last cut of the season. You empty the gas and lube the wheels before you cover it up for the next 4 to 5 months.
In a hurry late last fall, to go on a date with his bride, Jon let the last of the gas burn through the lawn mower while he lifted it up to lube the back wheels. He was busy thinking about other things when he casually put his left hand under the mower to pick it up. A horrible sound and jolt of electricity went through Jon’s body. In that quick instant, everything changed in Jon’s life. He picked up his ring finger, covered his hand and went to the hospital.
After an unsuccessful attempt to reattach his finger, Jon recalls the thoughts and fears he was dealing with. “I just remember thinking…this will be something which would completely derail my plans. Everything was in jeopardy. How could I even play without a finger that is so crucial to every chord? Just so many unknowns with no immediate answers.”
And from that place Jon began a time of painful solitude and seeking after the Lord he loved so much. He fought the usual suspects of why me and why now but somehow after a while, he began to find small glimmers of hope.
Worshiping Warrior
Jon’s favorite verse in the Bible became Proverbs 16:9. A man’s heart plans his way,
But the LORD directs his steps. To him it meant that when you can’t depend upon your plans, you can depend upon the Lord’s direction.
“As I have looked back through my life, I realized there has never been a time where God is unfaithful. I have taken great comfort in the fact that this was no surprise to God so I have started to look forward to my future again.”
After several months Jon has began to relearn to play his guitar. It’s very different but then again so is he. He says he has learned to trust God more and to surrender to Him more. Jon is now trying lead out of his weakness and not the strength of his ability to play but to lead out of the brokenness of his heart.
He still wants to be a skillful musician Jon says. “But the thing God is most concerned about in my worship to Him is to never forget that the instrument He is most concerned about is my heart.”
We are all rooting for you Jon. The Brewer sends his blessings with a thank you for choosing to be a worshiping warrior. May God find all of our hearts instruments he can put his hands on and play like Chet Atkins and Eddie Van Halen.
Troy Brewer ("The Brewer") Pastors Open Door Ministries and can be reached at troy@opendoorministries.org or at www.freshfromthebrewer.com
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