Harmony

Harmony

 By Cyndi

Psalm 133:1-”Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!” 

                As a musician, when I think of unity, I think of harmony. One person alone cannot sing harmony; there has to at least be two people. By definition, harmony is any simultaneous combination of tones. Ever hear a barbershop quartet sing? What about the groups singing on American Idol? Surely you’ve heard a jazz or rock band? If you’ve listened to any music at all, unless it’s only Gregorian chants, you’ve heard harmony-more than one note being played or sung at the same time.

                This verse in the Psalms reminds me of my college days when I played in the orchestra. I was a percussionist, one of the musicians who stand behind everyone else and gets to hit things-fun things-like drums, chimes, cymbals, xylophones, timpani, and a multitude of miscellaneous sound effects. I loved playing in a large group of people because so many different instruments would work together to create such beautiful music. Each instrument would have its own unique part to play. The violins didn’t play what the trumpets did; neither did the oboes play the same notes as the cello. Some instruments didn’t play much at all, like the crash cymbals (we counted lots of rests), but it all came together in unity for a magnificent performance.

                I often think about God being like a conductor of this enormous orchestra. Before He comes onstage, the tuning note is sounded and everyone tunes up. There’s no set beat, no specific rhythm, just everyone checking their instruments to make sure they’re in tune to the same standard. Once tuned, the Conductor steps up on the platform, raises His baton, and the music starts. He keeps the wand steady in His right hand, with everyone following at exactly the same tempo watching Him diligently. Only He has the score to everyone’s part, so He knows when to cue an entrance or to close an exit for each person. He controls the volume and intensity of this entire group with His mere hands-such power!

                Are you getting the picture of how we, as Christians, are similar to this orchestra? We all are tuned to Jesus, our Standard-each of us on our own journey, guided by the Word of God. We’re following the lead of our Conductor, alert and attentive for His cues, letting Him draw the music out of us-sometimes to a loud crescendo, and other times to a soft, gentle passage. He is the Maestro, we are the musicians. What incredible music can be made-good and pleasant-when we dwell together in unity.