Tonight's Word 🌱

Happy World Steelpan Day!

"Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!"
-Psalm 150:6

This week, I was engaged in a conversation that happened to centre on the workings of artificial intelligence. We touched on the fears about serious possible implications of it, and also all the many benefits that can be derived from it. It took a while admittedly to come around to dropping parts of my guard about it (perhaps the movie "i Robot" is still playing on my sub-conscious to this day), but I had to have a good chuckle at myself when an article was shared with me which traced some pretty early inventions and the controversy surrounding them at their inception. 

For example, the train when it was first invented was feared because it was thought that the human body couldn't withstand moving at such a high speed (50km/hr) and would be dismembered. Similarly, the telephone, telegraph and radio when first invented were feared to have devastating effects on humanity. VHS tapes were feared to significantly reduce the movie industry's lucrative income. In retrospect, while some of these theories sound rather baseless now, I think we can generally agree that we tend to fear what we don't understand. While it is still good to be discerning and cautious, it is also good to seek to understand and see what good can come out of it.

Very recently, the United Nations declared August 11 as World Steelpan Day. Many in the steelpan fraternity feel pretty proud of the occasion as the instrument continues to be given more and more recognition as a positive force in the music world. It wasn't always like this however. The instrument we know today came from pretty humble beginnings. Invented in Laventille, Trinidad and Tobago in the 1930's using discarded oil drums, hammering techniques and innovation, the instrument quickly became synonymous with Carnival and all that it represented. According to the article "The story of the steel drum in Trinidad and Tobago", the steelpan was often associated with a contrast of fierce sometimes violent territorial competitions and yet still a stage for unrivalled musical talent. The culture of the steelpan often clashed with the ideals and values of those unimpressed by the negative stigmas. 

Over time however, apprehension gave way to understanding and acceptance primarily due to efforts to give the instrument a more respectable status. Companies began to take bands under their wing for sponsorship, and with opportunities for regulation and worldwide exposure, the instrument began to be recognized locally and internationally as an instrument of beauty and ingenuity. In faith based circles, the instrument over time also became accepted, and began to be used for tunes of praise and worship to God. Who would have thought that the humble steelpan would make such strides in positively impacting the world?

Earlier this year, I felt lead to try to learn the steelpan. After months of learning and practicing, I was able to play a song. God be praised! It amazes me just how much musical beauty can be produced out of any man-made instruments. The psalmist David lived to praise. In the last chapter of the book of Psalms, he declared:

Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
Praise him with timbrel and dancing, praise him with the strings and pipe,
Praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!

No matter the type of instrument, let us lift the name of God high. Tonight we want to acknowledge the steelpan as an instrument that can be used to sweetly and effectively lift our spirits and bring praise to God. 

Prayer:
Father, thank you for the inspiration you have given to humanity in creating instruments that can ultimately bring you glory. You can take anything, be it object or person, from the humblest to the most respected and allow it to be used for your glory. I pray that as we interact with these instruments, be it to learn how to play them, in producing music, or in listening to the music played by those who are skilled, may our hearts be lifted up to acknowledge you as the giver of all good gifts, and that You are to receive all the praise, the honour and the glory. We too want to be instruments in your skillful hands. Use us, and bring Your beauty out of us. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Be blessed by the following song, which happens to be a favorite song of mine, which is being played on one of my now favorite and most familiar instruments. 🎧🙂🙏🏽

Goodness of God - Pan Rendition [Keishaun Julien]

References:

The story of the steel drum in Trinidad and Tobago. https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com/reports/trinidad-tobago/2015-report/economy/the-story-of-the-steel-drum-in-trinidad-and-tobago