-
One Of My All-Time Favorite Movies Is "Mr. ... PRO
Contributed by Mary Lewis on May 11, 2001 (message contributor)
One of my all-time favorite movies is “Mr. Holland’s Opus.” It’s the story of a musician who really just wants to be a composer. Rather grudgingly, he takes a job teaching music at the local high school, supposing it will give him time to write music while providing an income for he and his wife.
One of his students is a very serious red-headed girl who plays the clarinet terribly, even though she practices constantly. As Mr. Holland works with her to try to help, he learns that she is the youngest in a family where everyone excels – except her. Because she has tried so hard and failed, she considers herself a failure, too.
One day she comes into the music classroom and tells Mr. Holland that she’s going to give it up and if he knows anyone who wants her clarinet, he can give it to them.
As she walks away, Holland asks her, “Is it any fun?” With a shrug, she answers, “I wanted it to be.”
“You know what we’ve been doing wrong, Miss Lang? We’ve been playing the notes on the page.”
Confused, the girl asks, “Well what else is there is to play?”
“There’s a lot more to music than notes on a page. Playing music is supposed to be fun. It’s about heart. It’s about feelings and moving people and something beautiful and being alive and it’s not about notes on a page. I could teach you notes on a page. I can’t teach you that other stuff.”
He takes away her music and tells her to try it. She tries a time or two, each time coming to a point where her clarinet squawks and squeaks, and she starts to kick herself for her failure.
“What do you like best about yourself?” he asks.
With a shy smile she says, “My hair – my dad says it reminds him of a sunset.”
“Play the sunset.”
And she closes her eyes, and she begins to play – really play, not just the notes, but the music. She is so amazed when she does the hard part perfectly that her eyes pop open and she stops. Mr. Holland shares her amazement and says, “Don’t stop!”
And so, on she plays: eyes closed, head beginning to sway with the rhythm of it. And we know that this time, it’s fun.
…
Mr Holland put her focus on...
Continue reading this sermon illustration (Free with PRO)Related Sermon Illustrations
-
The Sign In The Window Read: "Boy Wanted". ...
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 30, 2004
The sign in the window read: "Boy Wanted". Young John Simmons, though he was lazy, saw his opportunity and applied. He was quickly hired by elderly Mr. Peters. The pace was leisurely so he enjoyed the job. Toward the middle of the afternoon however, he was sent up to the attic -- a dingy place ...read more
-
So Run That Ye May Obtain The Prize" We Should ... PRO
Contributed by Charles R. Swindoll on Sep 30, 2004
"So run that ye may obtain the prize" We should run the Christian race with sobriety, for our eternal life is at stake. Let others pursue for enjoyment what they will, but in our race everything vital is at stake. The eternal consequences of losing should motivate us to a greater effort than that ...read more
-
Before I Go On To The Third Way To Feed On The ...
Contributed by Brian La Croix on May 15, 2004
Before I go on to the third way to feed on the Word of God, let me just share with you the story of a young girl named Mary Jones, who in the late 1790's wanted more than anything to own a Bible. Unfortunately, they were not as available as they are today, and they were very expensive. So she ...read more
Related Sermons
-
Hope In The Midst Of Chaos Series
Contributed by Pat Damiani on Sep 13, 2010
We can have hope in the midst of chaos because God knows us, protects us and equips us.
-
After Easter - Then What?
Contributed by Andy Grossman on Mar 28, 2008
A week after Easter what was the Church doing? Some were doubting. Some were pondering what happened. Some were seeking the Holy Spirit.
-
The Strength To Do The Impossible
Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 6, 2007
A look at the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives to empower us to accomplish the Great Commission. There is a long introduction. The primary passage is not introduced till nearly 1/2 through the message. Expanded outline.
-
What Is The Promise You Are Waiting To See? Series
Contributed by Dean Courtier on Aug 8, 2012
Looking at the life of Christ, is something that is essential for every believer. To help us grow in our understanding of Him & our relationship with Him. Over the days, weeks, months, years, centuries, that you have been in church, you have probably l
-
Living From The Inside Out Series
Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Dec 21, 2011
This is sermon #2 in the series "Life in the Spirit" dealing with the difference between living from the "Inside Out" and living from the "Outside In." Romans 8 is the text for the sermon.