Certain Scripture passages motivated me to push myself harder, listen more intently, reevaluate my goals, and raise the quality of my skill. 

• 2 Samuel 24:24b ...neither will I offer...  unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. 
• 1 Chronicles 25:3 ...Jeduthun... prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD. 
• Psalm 33:2-4  Give thanks to the Lord with the lyre; sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings. Sing to Him a new song;  play skillfully with a shout of joy. For the word of the LORD is upright; and all His work is done in faithfulness. 
• Psalm 150:4b “...Praise him with stringed instruments...” 

My wife and I recently spent some time ministering to our friends at a local retirement center. She accompanied me on the piano as I played the old hymn “In the Garden” on my cello. God showed up and amazed me when two dozen senior citizens--all hard of hearing--recognized the tune and sang along!  It was a delightful time of thoughtful, engaging worship.

As I took the step of faith to give Him my best, I accepted all the necessary pressure He would place on me. It was not an easy task. It didn’t happen overnight. The Lord used that cello to teach me a very important lesson: true worship has a price.

The cello my congregation gave me for Christmas was a perfect gift. It required much of me, but at the same time, it gave much to me. Now I have learned to say with king David, “Neither will I offer… unto the Lord of that which doth cost me nothing." I will always cherish my congregation and their discernment to give such a wonderful Christmas gift - a gift that would teach me the price and joy of true worship. 

Timothy Palla is the pastor of Fairview Missionary Baptist Church in the Lucasville/Minford area of southern Ohio. He and his lovely wife, Jennifer, have five children—Drew, Dane, Aidan, Ethan, and Meghan—and have been involved in homeschooling since 1993. You may contact him at tpalla@rocketmail.com