"But I say, have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world."
Romans 10:18 KJV
I often refer to life as a journey. Yet, another metaphor that resonates deeply with me is that life is like a symphony full of musicians crafted with talents and gifts that, when put together, can create something beautiful.
In every symphony, there is also a Conductor. Through skill and experience, the conductor leads the artistic direction of the musicians' sound, rhythm, and movement together and directs them toward the vision and goal of the Composer. Because of these Conductors, every symphony has its unique rhythm and melody. The relationship between the musicians and their Conductor creates a harmonious sound distinct to their appointment.
Every good Conductor knows an out-of-tune instrument or a missed beat can easily disrupt a symphony. Therefore, the Conductor must be tuned to the ability and limitations of each musician by knowing how and when to push them to play harder and when to give them a little break as challenges and setbacks inevitably strike. The musician respects that when driven to achieve more, it is for the betterment of the symphony and the production of its intended sound. The key is to keep fine-tuning, to keep bringing all the different parts together, and to move forward toward the goal of the Composer.
At every symphony, an audience recognizes and appreciates the hard work and dedication that went into creating something extraordinary. Though we may not hear the accolades or the crowd's ovation, we can take pride in the harmonious sound we create together. There will come a time when we will all look back on our lives and see the different notes and rhythms that made this sonorous sound that only the Creator can appreciate and acknowledge.
So, from this day forward, remember you are a musician. Embrace the challenges set forth by your Conductor and press through the setbacks thrown at you in life. Use them as opportunities to learn and grow. And above all, never let anything stop you from creating beautiful music.
Devotional Reading: Ephesians 4:1-12; 1 Corinthians 14:10-12; Romans 10:11-18; Hebrews 12:1-2; Psalm 89. Click below for more study notes.