The Church,

Musically Speaking…

Recently I was able to attend a band practice for my daughter and other 6^th grade students at Central High school.   They were gearing up for a school-wide performance involving several elementary schools.   In the practice, the children met other music instructors from different schools.   There were a total of four instructors, each of which lead the band of 6^th grade musicians through one piece of music.    

Many children were present, each with their instrument of choice.   There were clarinets, trombones, trumpets, drums, and flutes.    You could tell the children were excited, but the instructors did a fine job in their introductions and setting the tone of the atmosphere by letting the children know the piece they were going to play, the measure to play it in, and proper performance etiquette, and much more.   

After each run through of a musical score, the instructor would break it down into its individual pieces.   Be mindful of pitch/tone, remember the breaks and pauses between notes, don’t play out of turn.   Each instrument contributes to the whole.    After breaking down a number by sections, they would run through it one more time together.  

I Corinthians 12:4-6 states,  “⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. ⁵ There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. ⁶ There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

I couldn’t help but think about how the band of children reminded me of the Lord’s church, the body of Christ, an how He is the grand conductor which has designed us each uniquely for a larger plan and purpose.   His watchful eye and listening ear guides and directs our steps.   When we work together and serve Him, we play a beautiful form of worship.   Each part is valued in its separate form, yet more powerful contributing to the whole.