The shadow tells us the direction of the Light.
Daisuke Ito
Chapter 1
In a town in Ireland, there lived a composer named Joseph.
He was 45 years old and had released many of his songs by then.
His house was wooden and very classical in appearance.
He suffered incurable ill and near death, but he had no family and was alone.
One day, when composer Joseph was reading a newspaper, he came across an article about World Legacy sites.
Joseph was strongly inspired by the word Legacy.
“Legacy” Joseph thought about it.
What is Legacy for?
Can I leave a Legacy?
Is a Legacy just for preserving fame?
As a composer Joseph was quite thoughtful.
He thought Legacy has more significance.
A gift left by the giver to the world upon death.
The Legacy has a strong influence.
But the influence of that Legacy can only be understood by those who know how its giver left it.
It depends on how much love was put into the Legacy.
Joseph had released many beautiful songs, but how much love was put into them?
Joseph realized that by then he had not written a single song worthy of his legacy.
What can I give to the world?
How much love can I give?
In fact, Joseph knew the greatest Legacy in history.
It was certainly his Eternal Treasure.
What can I do with the time left in my life? The rain was getting stronger and stronger.
As usual, Joseph began composing in front of the fireplace
At that moment, Joseph heard someone knocking on the door. Joseph walked towards the entrance and opened the door. There was a boy in a rain-soaked coat.
Chapter 2
The boy was silently asking for help with a frightened face.
The composer Joseph immediately let the boy into the house and sat him down in front of the fireplace.
Joseph asked.
“What happened?” “……”
The boy couldn’t reply
“What is your name,” “ ……James…”
“ Good name... would you like some hot milk?”
“Yes … Thank you.”
James was an orphan...
Abandoned by his parents, wandering aimlessly, he stumbled upon Joseph’s house...
Composer Joseph asked.
“Where are you from?”
“ ……this town.”
Then James found a violin on the desk.
Joseph brought a cup of hot milk and said,
“It’s a violin, you know?”
“…Yes. ……Are you a violinist?”
“ I’m a composer”
Joseph took the violin and began to play gently.
That song was “Amazing Grace”
James was overwhelmed by the serious look of composer Joseph.
That sound strongly echoed in James heart.
Joseph’s playing was like a Light in James sorrow.
Joseph saw James’ face and began to tell a short story.
A man who had lost hope in life was walking down the street. He was in despair and felt completely alone...
He had no strength or will to live, and had given up on finding the light...
Then he realized something .
The shadow tells us the direction of the light.
Only those who know the direction of darkness and seek the light can see the Light of Truth.”
“Shadows tell us the direction of the Light.A shadow follows me... but from the other side of the shadow the Sunlight was pouring down.
“James, what do you think the legacy is?”
“A gift left by the giver upon his death...
… Death is darkness.
However when you are in the dark and desperately seek the Light, when you escape the darkness and desperately seek help, you can find the Light of Truth.”
“What do you think the greatest legacy in the world is?
That Legacy has the power to guide us to the Light of Truth.“
The composer Joseph smiled sweetly and began composing again.
James went to sleep there that day.
Chapter 3
A new morning came. James woke up to find Joseph at his desk working on a song. He named the song “Knocking” . James looked at the sheet music curiously.
So composer Joseph asked.
“Are you interested in composing?”
“...yes...why did you name this song Knocking?“
“It just hit me.”
James learned composition from Joseph every day.
Composing broadened the horizon of James's mind.
Composing brought a light to James's heart.
James absorbed Joseph’s words like dry earth absorbs water.
Joseph taught James music as if he were giving his life.
He wanted to give James the best Legacy.
The death of the composer Joseph was approaching...
Chapter 4
Spring had come to Ireland. Many plants bloomed.
James continued to compose with composer Joseph.
One day Joseph began to tell James about his old memories.
“When I was a child , I heard a violin playing in a church. The song seemed to breathe life into my soul…” “……”
“It was like pouring a shining blessing into my empty vessel. I wanted to play music like that.”
“……？”
“Do you want to play the violin?”
Without hesitation, James just nodded strongly.
Composer Joseph took the violin and began to speak.
“The sound of a violin has a mysterious power. A power that cannot be scientifically proven…”
“……？”
“That sound touches human's hearts and gives them impressions.
It's the sound that lifts the human soul to heaven.”
The composer Joseph started playing the violin
James was deeply drawn into the sound and felt it energized his soul He wished he will get the ability to play the violin like Joseph.
…………
One day, at dinner, Joseph said to James,
“...I’m about to die...I’ve always wanted you to receive my Legacy...
I may have been selfish. Please forgive me. Thank you for staying with me.
I’m glad to meet you.”
“Music can be a ladder connecting heaven and earth.
You must never forget your former sorrow. But seek the Light.
If you don’t have the power to move forward, just see the Light.”
“…！”
“The Legacy I have given you is very small.
You must find the greatest Legacy ever in this world. A Legacy indispensable to mankind.
A Legacy of eternal worth.
A Legacy for those who know sorrow and seek light.
Knock on the door to the Light of Truth that will bring peace to the world.”
Chapter 5
One day, when James was alone in a room of the house of composer Joseph, he was thinking seriously
James realized with his humble mind.
“ I am now in an considerable position.
The responsibility of inheriting a legacy is heavy.
The Responsibility to maintain the worth of Legacy and inherit the will of the giver...”
James thought
How did the composer Joseph feel when he entrusted his Legacy to me?
What is a Light of Truth?
James feared that one day he would lose sight of composer Joseph’s Legacy.
James thought he should not boast that he is the heir to the Legacy of a great composer.
Because He just inherited Joseph’s Legacy.
However, he felt that he should not lose his identity as the one who would lead people to the Light of Truth that Joseph had taught him.
James had the precious memories of Joseph written down in his soul. …
Composer Joseph died at his desk three days later...
On the desk lay the completed sheet music.
“Knocking ……”
James was alone again.
For days he was overwhelmed with grief...
Throughout his life, James never forgot that grief.
Joseph taught him that on the other side of the shadow is the Light.
James believed in Joseph’s words and continued to search for the light of truth.
Chapter６
James’ parents had divorced when James was three years old and he had lived with his mother until he was twelve.
However, his mother who had been suffering in spirit suddenly left him and James had become alone.
James had lost his light...the light that always shines on him.
The Legacy given by the composer Joseph was his only light.
James played the violin and composed music as his emotions led him.
One day, James noticed a thick book on the bookshelf lined with Joseph’s compositions.
James picked up the book and looked at the cover. It was the Bible.
James had no idea how the book had been written, but was fascinated by its contents.
James was absorbed in reading that book.
He read it until dawn.
Then James realize
There was a piece of paper on the last page of the book.
It read: ~Church Isaiah~ A map was also drawn.
James was inspired by the words and decided to go there.
James started walking towards it with the help of the map.
By the time he got there, he was drowning in grief, recalling memories of his past...
He wanted a light that never wavers.. A light that gives hope and encouragement.
He got to the church Isaiah.
He heard someone’s voice from inside.
“What is light to you?
Candlelight is hard to see during the day when the sun is strong.
But you can see candlelight shining brightly in the darkness.
The light that can only be seen by those in darkness, the light that continues to shine even in the darkness, is the Light of Truth.”
James was strongly influenced by the words.
Who’s talking now？
James sat on the ground and listened to the sermon.
“
Those who have just drunk a lot of water may underestimate the worth of a glass of water.
But a dying thirsty one knows the true worth of that glass of water. ”
“
When your heart is broken and you are in despair, you can know the worth of the Light of Truth.
Humans can increase their possibility through wisdom. But at the same time, human wisdom can narrow our vision.
Humans may assume that the reach of their wisdom is all.
However, know this. There is a Light of Truth in a Sacred world beyond human wisdom.
That is the Savior’s Love.”
James didn’t understand all of what the man said, but he was very impressed by the mysterious power in that words Then he heard the beautiful sound of a violin coming from inside the church. The sound seemed to pour out the blessings of Heaven on James soul.
James shed tears of his own grief.
Chapter８
Sitting on the ground, James was immersed in the impression of that moment. Then a man came out of the church and said to James,
“...Hello, nice to meet you.”
"...?"
“I’m Larry, a pastor here.”
"... Ah... I’m James...”
“Nice to meet you, and welcome.”
"……"
“Did you hear the sermon here?”
“
...yes...sorry... ”
“Don’t worry. I’m glad you heard it.”
James said with some hesitation.
“A man told me the Story similar to your words.”
In the past Pastor Larry had been inspired by the word Legacy just like James.
James said
“He told me there is a light on the other side of the shadow....I’m looking for that light.”
Pastor Larry was a little surprised and said with a smile.
“...He probably knows the Light of Truth.”
"...?"
“What is his name?”
“Joseph. He is a composer.”
“…Joseph…When I was young, I met a boy named Joseph at church.”
"... Joseph you met may be him....I was blessed with him in the church.”
“...The pastor of that church, Mike, is the person I respect the most. The time I spent with him is a precious time that cannot be replaced by anything....
However, he passed away in the big earthquake that once occurred in this area….”
“……”
“…but His Legacy is my eternal treasure. He lives in me Forever.”
“……”
“His sorrow is my sorrow, and his joy is my joy.” “……”
“…I think Mr. Joseph is like him to you. You are very blessed.”
“……？”
Then Pastor Larry said.
“Matthew 7:7 ESV
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.“ “……？”
“You who know sorrow have the power to do it.
Knock on the door to the Light of Truth. ”
From that day on, James visited Isaiah Church every day, received the grace of God, and continued composing.
Chapter９
One day, while James was praying in church, a woman of about 40 came and said, "Can you compose music?"
“ ......yes... ”
“My name is Melisa Where did you learn to compose?”
James said with some hesitation.
“The composer Joseph taught me. ”
“...oh.. I see.”
Then Melisa found James's composition notebook.
“Can I read that notebook?”
“ ...yes.. ”
Melisa was interested in these songs.
She brought her violin and tried to play the tune.
“
“Good song. can you play the violin too?”
“.....Yes..”
.....Oh.. I'm sure there will be people who want your song. I respect your composition.”
“......?”
Chapter 10
One day of worship, Pastor Larry went to the pulpit and began to preach.
“
Luke 9:23 NIV
Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
What is justice?
A clergyman's view of justice, a scientist's view of justice, and a politician's view of justice may differ.
When a person masters justice on his own, he no longer tries to accept other justice.
A person may try to forcibly deny the other's justice when his own justice is about to be overturned.
Humans fear that what they have built up will be destroyed.
As a result, conflict arises.
What is the justice that brings Salvation to the world?
It becomes clear when everything falls apart. It is when human knowledge, ability, and justice are destroyed.
That is a light that continues to shine even in that darkness.
That justice is the love of the Savior.” James thought.
“What should I do now? What cross should I bear?”
James knew. Music has no power to stop violent conflicts in the world. Music does not have the power to save everyone from sorrow.
But If the performer can get close to the heart of those who have sadness the song can light the heart of them and give energy to their souls and lead their souls to the Light of Truth
James didn’t know if anyone will listen to his music, but he decided to leave a collection of his songs in the hope that someday someone will hear his music and the Light will be lit in their hearts.
James realized that even if someone will try to extinguish the light, pitying them and hoping that the Light of Truth would shine in their hearts would be the cross he must bear
３years later, James published a collection of his songs called “Legacy”
The first page had the song "Knocking". It was a song composed by the composer Joseph.
James’ songs brought heavenly blessings to many souls.
Blessed are those who know sorrow. Because they will find the light of heaven.
To be continued
Best wishes
Daisuke Ito
“Larry”
The Life on the Chair
https://beyondthetune.wordpress.com