Sweet Harmony

Romans 12:16-18
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (NIV)

When music sings in harmony it is sweet to the ears.

May is a busy month for end-of-year school activities. This week two of our grandsons participated in the Middle School’s band concert. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders, along with high school jazz and concert bands performed instrumental renditions of a variety of songs. These kids are blessed with excellent teachers who create an atmosphere where the students want to learn.

I love this photo of our grands with their friends!

With Eli on the trumpet and Zeke on the baritone the notes of It’s Raining Tacos danced across the gym. The sixth-grade band played a song they wrote themselves. Their band teacher, Mr. Glader, explained that one student played a riff, a short, repeated phrase in music and jazz, then another student on a different instrument played their version until the entire band played a part. Their song was inspiring.

Listening to all the different instruments come together in harmony and create excellent music reminded me of the church. Not the building we meet in, but the people. The believers who meet together and then go into the week with Jesus on our hearts. God wants us to be in harmony with Him and with one another, which often means we aren’t harmonizing with the world. Instead, we’re humbly serving others and attempting to live at peace.

As a believer and an instrument of God, I want to be in tune with God’s word and His people. I love singing together with folks in church, we raise our voices as the musicians on stage play their instruments. I try to carry the joy I find in sharing music into my week.

It’s hard enough to live in this world without being in discord with fellow believers. Instead of discord, let’s encourage and spread God’s hope and love.

Be in harmony, serve others, and live in peace.

 

And God Gave us Music

Psalm 92:1-3

It is good to praise the Lord
    and make music to your name, O Most High,
proclaiming your love in the morning
    and your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
    and the melody of the harp.

Praise is the rehearsal for our eternal song. -Charles Spurgeon

Our grandson, Zeke, tried out for the OMEA seventh grade band performance. I’m delighted to share he was chosen as first chair baritone. The students from various districts came together to perform a wonderful concert after learning the music in only three days. Kudos to Maggie (his momma) for driving him to Cincinnati every one of those days.

On Sunday, as the band assembled, I sat in the audience with family and soaked in each song. Each of the four songs inspired their own beauty. They started with a song that might have been the soundtrack to an action flick. Then they played a lovely song that invoked an inward peace. The third song reminded of something you might hear in a palace, and the last song they played was based on an African spiritual with a contagious rhythm.

As I think back on the music, the first song played reminds me of Joshua marching around the walls of Jerico. The peaceful song left me thinking of Mary holding baby Jesus. The palace song brought Queen Esther to mind, and the African beat reminded me of David dancing and praising.

God gave us the gift of music, and we can use instruments and voices to raise praises to God. Music also soothes the soul and offers a respite from the cacophony of a noisy world. I’m thankful there are different styles of music, and a variety of musicians so we can all find the tunes that draw us closer to God. Contemporary Christian music, traditional hymns, pop, and folk are among my favorites, and I’ll listen to almost any instrumental tunes. As I am with nature, I’m amazed at God’s creation of tones and melodies. He’s given us so many gifts, and just think how beautiful the music of heaven will be.

Find music that draws you closer to God.