TONE-DEAF

I think it’s safe to say that I border on being tone-deaf. Someone would have to miss an entire line in a song for me to know they did anything wrong. The only reason I know what off-key means is because that’s the main key I sing in. None of this is helped by the fact that I cannot read music. I sing in the choir on occasion. My philosophy in doing this is always – try to do what the guy next to me is doing. (I have tried to get used to everyone next to me trying to make space between us.) There has been a time or two when someone would comment on the fact that in leading the closing songs after a sermon I would tend to step back from the pulpit a bit. Yes I do, and it is on purpose. I am trying to back off from the pulpit mic. No one should have to listen to what’s coming. I generally wear a coreless mic while preaching. On occasion, I have forgotten to turn it off for the closing song. Not only do I feel embarrassed, but half of the congregation does as well. In fact, visitors never return. I’m trying to make a point here. It’s quite obvious I could never be a piano tuner. But, did you ever listen to one? From strictly a personal point of view, this has got to be the single most boring job in the world. Again, that’s strictly my personal opinion. Whatever they charge, it’s not enough. [The one exception to that statement is when we have one come in and tune our pianos.] They sit at the piano with complete consecration while pressing a single key. They appear to have the concentration of one reading, “War and Peace.” Yet, all the while this single note goes “ding” “ding” “ding.” Then it’s on to another key, and we still have “ding” “ding” “ding.” Occasionally, for sanity sake, there’s a “dong” “dong” “dong.” But most of the time it’s still that “ding” “ding” “ding.” They make their adjustments with the tools of the trade. They tighten this key and perhaps loosen this one a little, and the result is “ding” “ding” “ding!” The “dings” and the “dongs” don’t really change much, most especially to my ears. This can go on for a couple of hours. Thank God there’s an end. Oh, but wait till they are done. Wait until they begin to play some wonderful, melodious song. It’s then that the work of the master is made obvious. All of a sudden all of the “dings” and “dongs” turn into a symphony of resplendent music. While I may not know any real difference from the beginning to end, I do know that music coming from that instrument is very pleasing to my ears. And, for those far more talented than I, things that were once out of key have been made right.

God does the same with us. When we start to get out of harmony with His will and His Word He must start the work of fine-tuning us. If we are His children He will correct us, just as a father who loves his son will. In Hebrews 12:5-8 we read, “And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: ‘My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.’ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.” There will be times in our lives when God must tighten the strings in our lives in order to help us to get back into harmony with His will. James tells us to, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

The wait during this time may be difficult to bear. But, wait until He is done! Once God has fine-tuned our lives we will enjoy the beautiful harmony of God’s earthly choir (the church). But wait! The best is yet to come. One day we will join the saints in heaven and be able to participate in the heavenly choir of heaven. Perhaps then, no one will try to move over when I’m singing.