Call me old fashioned, but I love watching a live orchestra performing. The beautiful sound produced from a dozen different instruments made of wood and metal. Together their sounds combine in tones and pitches, blending in one harmonistic accord. Those sounds stir deep within my very soul.
I have so many favorites, but Overture 1812 by Tchaikovsky and Stars and Stripes Forever by Sousa are close to the top of my list. Most are not familiar with the sonata in the pieces, but remember the thrilling ending of cannons blaring or the thunder of fireworks, lighting up the night sky.
As I watch in wonderment at these talented musicians perform, I don't consider the hours, days, weeks or years of practice it took to arrive at that particular moment. I don't consider the diversity of the instruments which they play. I only receive what I hear and I enjoy their gift.
Each Violin, Cello, French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Flute, Cymbal, and Drums working in unison, playing their part. The sound would not be achieved if not for each of these participants sharing their gifts, talents and performing their individual pieces..
But what if each group decided not to play their part of the composition? What if the trumpeter's said to the Violinist's, “We don't like your sound, you can't play like us.” Or the percussionists mocking the flutist's saying, “Your notes are not as majestic as ours.” Sounds ridiculous right? But isn't that what we do when we pass judgment on a brother or sister in Christ?
We are all gifted with spiritual gifts given to us by the Lord for our specific purpose, but when someone is jealousy or envious of another's gift it harms the whole body. Paul wrote about this in his letter to the Corinthian church.
Paul wrote, “But God made our bodies with many parts. What a strange thing a body would be with only one part. 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." In fact some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary” (1 Corinthians 12: 18-22 NLT).
Jesus spoke directly to this issue when He said, “Stop judging others and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. Why worry about the speck in your friend's eye, when you have a log in you own?” (Matthew 7:1-3 NLT)
So how do we combat this plague of jealousy and envy? The book of Romans gives us the answer, “Who are you to condemn God's servants? They are responsible to the Lord, so let Him tell them whether they are right or wrong. The Lord's power will help them do as they should. So let us aim for harmony in the church and build each other up” (Romans 14:10, 19 NLT)
Believers working together in unity and harmony with one purpose, is a sweet sounding symphony in the ears of the Lord our God. When each member is focused on the Lord and serving Him with all their heart, there won't be time to compare, judge or ridicule another believer. What a thrilling ending we will have when we stand before Jesus.
Let's make some music!
“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful” (Colossians 3:15 NLT)
Copyright©2011 –tathorpe- All Rights Reserved-
No comments:
Post a Comment