‘The Master’s Touch’ is a moving poem written by Myra Brooks Welch. The “poet with the singing soul” was severely disabled by a condition of arthritis and was confined to wheelchair. The poem is about the auction of an old violin. There were no takers for the old violin and so the auctioneer thought it was not worth the while to waste time on it. It was about to be sold for a mere three dollars. The auctioneer was happy to close the bid in order to move on to more valuable items. But no! It was not to be!
“From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet,
As a caroling angel sings!
Soon many began to bid for the old violin. Its value climbed up from three dollars to three thousand dollars! The people cheered; some of them cried. How did the miracle take place?
‘We do not quite understand
What changed its worth.’
Swift came the reply:
‘The touch of a master’s hand.’
Often we are like the old, rusty and useless violin being auctioned for a mere pittance. We feel battered and worthless with no meaning for life. Our life becomes a burden for ourselves and others. But when we allow the Master who created us to touch us, cleanse us, heal us and make us wholesome, everything changes. Our worth increases beyond any limit. The magic of God’s saving and healing grace is greater than our sins. Prophet Isaiah speaks on behalf of God, the Master of the universe: "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” (Isaiah 1:18).
