God has written the most beautiful music

Psalm 98:5 reads “Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody!”

Upon occasion, Jeanne and I have taken in a symphony. It is amazing to see the ensemble that makes up a large orchestra with wind, string, brass and percussion instruments.

I am in awe, taking all of that in — a rich sight for the eyes. However, when those beautiful instruments are actually played — jointed together through masterful direction — the experience becomes majestic to the ears as well.

Music, delivered in this manner, is a powerful thing. It has the capacity to evoke feelings from deep within. Part of this has to do with synchronization. Each instrument is unique, yet all are joined to the whole. The soulful, thoughtful, scripted notation guides the complex interplay among the instruments that makes a symphony so special. It makes for music that captures the imagination and purposefully leads us somewhere emotionally.

In many ways, a symphony reminds me of life itself.

There may be times that we treat matters as if we are a solo act. We may become myopic — self-focused — blind and deaf to our surroundings.

It is like we choose to selectively hear a single string on the cello. In doing so we not only ignore the other closely places strings, but also block out everything else being played within our section and the entire orchestra.

I watched a movie recently in which a group of the central characters were in peril. One of them began to pray out loud. He prayed for safety for himself. What I found so strange about that was that it didn’t even occur to him to pray for everyone else in the group.

God created the orchestra, with all of its unique parts and diversity. God has also composed the music of life. The notes of God’s symphony are loving care that reaches outside of the self. When this is delivered as written, with each string, note, and beat played, it makes for the most beautiful of melodies.

God is the audience of this worshipful performance and gives thunderous applause.

Walter is pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church and has served as parish pastor for more than 25 years.