The artwork above is inspired by Psalms 98:4.
Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises!
Psalm 98:4
I have been playing the piano since I was five years old. Over the years, I developed my skills to the point of earning a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. But to be honest, my journey was often marked more by pressure and fear than by joy.
The pressure to perform flawlessly weighed heavily on me. In the classical piano world, a single wrong note doesn’t go unnoticed. I carried the fear of making mistakes like a burden, especially after hearing harsh words from one of my piano teachers: “You are no good, so you should just quit.” Those words left a deep wound in my heart.
At the same time, I experienced moments of incredible joy—the kind that came when people told me how much they loved my performance. There was also the joy of being able to play freely after long hours of practice and the unique fulfillment of collaborating with other musicians. These moments reminded me of why I kept going.
A Mind-Blowing Truth
Everything began to shift when I was 19. A friend shared a truth that completely changed my perspective: There is a Creator God who created us all. We are not here by accident.
For so long, I had lived for the praise and validation of others. I believed that my worth was tied to how well I performed—on the piano, in life, everywhere. But this new truth hit me: I didn’t need the approval of others to validate my existence. I was created on purpose, and my worth was already secure.
When I came to know God personally, I understood that I didn’t need to chase after fleeting validation anymore. I could turn back to Him from things I used to validate myself (repentance) and let Him define my worth—a worth that is eternal and unchanging because of what Christ has done for me.
The Struggle for Joy
Even after knowing Christ, my journey hasn’t been perfect. There are still moments when joy feels far away. But I’ve realized something important: my joy depends on who or what I am praising in that moment.
When I focus on myself—my mistakes, fears, or need for validation—joy fades. But when I turn my heart to God, I am reminded of the ultimate reason for joy: He willingly came to us as a baby, destined to die on the cross for our sins. He defeated death by rising again, securing eternal victory for us.
Living from Victory
Whatever challenges or suffering we may face, we can live from that eternal victory. Our worth doesn’t depend on performance or the praise of people. It’s already secured in Christ.
May our hearts break forth into joyous songs as we remember this truth. Let us sing praises to the One who gives us unshakable joy—a joy that doesn’t change, no matter the circumstances.
Let us live and play, not for fear or pressure, but for the freedom and joy found in Him.
Reflection Questions:
If you are a Christian, we all know that Christ is the source of joy. But in reality, what has been our source of joy? This question is not meant to condemn ourselves (we are no longer condemned in Christ Jesus—Romans 8:1!), but rather it is part of the process of truly making Him our joy.
In what ways can you break forth into a joyous song today?
What do you think is the difference between being "happy" and being "joyful"?
Thanks for reading!
Keiko Iris Yamada
Music Director at Vine International Fellowship
P.S. Hope you found the hidden "piano keyboard" in this artwork of mine ;)
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