Our Lives Are Music

 

         Listening to the birds in early spring are a pure sense of joy for me.  Sometimes, it’s the solo of a chickadee, or a concert of wrens, thrush or the house finch and others that have filtered into the mix. They care not whether their note is perfect (although it probably is!) or whether they sing in harmony; they just let their sound raise to the sky!  It’s glorious and makes my heart sing!

Music is one of my favorite things, especially Southern Gospel music.  But I also enjoy Bluegrass, old country, and even classical.  It’s funny, because if I’m writing, my preference is classical!  The music can play and my head doesn’t sing along, and I can still be productive!

I was never part of a band in school, but envied those who were.  I am in awe of the person who can sit to a piano and play beautiful tunes, or the fiddle---  or the steel guitar!  It seems like the instruments are doing the talking!  

While I have attended a classical concert (on a very local level), I know little about what makes them work!  I was intrigued however, when a friend compared classical music with the working of the local church!  His point was each musical instrument is important and plays a powerful role in the overall finished pieced.  The harmony comes together from something small, like the tiny triangle making the high pitched, metallic, shimmery sound, or the strong performance of the violinist; each complimenting the other.    

Individually the instruments are not necessarily strong; and although they can stand alone, their power comes from the union of all the sounds coming together.  Shouldn’t this be the way we perceive our places within the local church?  No act of faith is too small, and none so large it is more worthy or honorable than any of the so called, ‘smaller acts.’  

God wants us to use the gifts he has given us to work in unity and in harmony, so that the corporate ‘performance’ is enhanced by even the tiny act of conviction and belief, within the framework of the church!  But sometimes we caught up in what we think others expect, or we think they see!  We may even ask God to change us because we don’t believe we fit the ‘mold’ of what others want us to be.

Knowing God wants us just the way he designed us, enables us to use the talents and gifts he’s given to further his kingdom, while we traverse this earth.  It’s important to know we can sing alone and can be incredible. But a ‘concert’ is usually so much better when everyone sings together.  The harmonies bring a quality that is often unmatched for the ‘larger vision” and bigger projects, and productivity is greatly enhanced.

Where do you fit in, ‘in the concert’?  Are you afraid of not ‘hitting the right note’— if asked to teach a Sunday School class, devotion, or sing in the choir?  Or do you ‘sing’ your best, regardless of what your service, —— and let God make the music in other people’s lives? 

Photo credit: free pictures of birds singing