~ Beautiful Music ~

[Lani]

Romans 12:1-8
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.



As in one body we have many members, and not all members have the same function so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another. Romans 12:4-5 (NRSV)



Playing in a hand-bell choir was a unique experience for me because I was assigned only two notes. I’m used to playing or singing the whole song, not just a few notes. Perhaps I’m making it sound easy when it really isn’t; playing bells is quite challenging. Counting is mandatory in order to play the notes at the right time, and of course each player must be sure to play the right note. If everyone does their part, the result is beautiful music. But it takes only one person not playing the right bell to make the music less than beautiful.

This reminds me of the church and how we are one body made up of many parts. Each of us has a role to play in the body of Christ, one we were created by God to fill. It’s up to us to fill that role if we want to create music. God, who has written and provided us with the song, asks us to play our part. When we do, together we make beautiful music.



Prayer:Lord God, help each of us to find our way to serving you so we can make music that delights you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Prayer Focus of Day: Musicians
Thought for the Day: When we cooperate, we can create beautiful music.

Story shared by: P. Leipold (PA)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/10/11