Melodic Musings

Yesterday, I had the honor and privilege to lead a Christmas orchestra at our church. It's been several years since this tradition last took place and I've been excited for the past year as I dreamed and made plans for this to happen again.

The many hours spent finding musicians, copying and organizing music, and leading practices was well worth it to see and hear the end result!

I was blown off my feet with how flawless and beautiful our two performances sounded. I was beaming from ear to ear when the final notes were played. I was so proud of their dedication, hard work, and ability to master some pretty difficult songs.

And it wasn't just the music that was beautiful.

The orchestra was made up of many parts...24 to be exact. The ages of the participants ranged from elementary school all the way to middle-aged. Each one was gifted with different abilities. Some played a woodwind instrument, others brass or strings. The piano and percussion helped to hold everyone together. 

Each instrument played a different melody or harmony or rhythm. They played different notes and in different keys. And yet each was vital to the flow of the song. Even the simple, melodic tone of the triangle.

Isn't that how the body of Christ works too? Each person has their own gifts and interests. Our life stories each flow to a different melody or rhythm. We all look different and sound different, which is necessary to fulfill the song that is written.

The glue that holds the song from falling apart, is found in the job of the conductor. Everyone looks to him or her to provide the beat. Each instrument has a time in a song where they are silent. And yet, when the conductor cues them in, it's necessary that they participate because their part, their song, their gift is needed...right then and now.

God is our conductor. He is the One that keeps the beat. He knows the score and music inside and out. He cues us in to be involved in His song. We need to keep our eyes on Him to prevent us from getting lost and confused. 

We also need to remember there is no instrument more important than the other. All were created differently and all have different purposes. The world would be too loud if we were all belting brass or beating drums. No matter how small the instrument or how often we are "cued in" by the conductor, each of us matter. Because even the simple, melodic tone of the triangle is music to the conductor's ears.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27

12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into Christ's body by one Spirit, and we have all received the same Spirit. 14 Yes, the body has many different parts, not just one part. 15 If the foot says, "I am not a part of the body because I am not a hand," that does not make it any less a part of the body. 16And if the ear says, "I am not part of the body because I am only an ear and not an eye," would that make it any less a part of the body? 17 Suppose the whole body were an eye -- then how would you hear? Or if your whole body were just one big ear, how could you smell anything? 18But God made our bodies with many parts, and he has put each part just where he wants it. 19What a strange thing a body would be if it had only one part! 20 Yes, there are many parts, but only one body. 21 The eye can never say to the hand, "I don't need you." The head can't say to the feet, "I don't need you." 22 In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. 23 And the parts we regard as less honorable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen, 24 while other parts do not require this special care. So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honor and care are given to those parts that have less dignity. 25 This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other equally. 26If one part suffers, all the parts suffer with it, and if one part is honored, all the parts are glad. 27Now all of you together are Christ's body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.

No matter what instrument you are or the abilities you have, the Great Conductor wants your melody to be a part of His song. He needs your talents and gifts to fulfill His purposes. He is proud of you and your hard work and dedication. You are the reason that He is beaming!