Harmony…with or without me?

I do not sing well.  Actually…that’s not very accurate.  I have a terrible singing voice.  I cannot carry a tune.  If I try to sing a song, I will only hit the correct note…maybe twenty percent of the time. When I try to sing some harmony part, the percentage only goes lower…but I usually try it anyway.  And…I really like to try singing falsetto…Bummer! Barry Gibb I am not.

Although I have absolutely zero musical knowledge or ability, I recently had a tremendous musical experience. I attended the Christmas Musical at our church. There were over two hundred singers in the choir and eighty-nine in the orchestra. The sound was amazing. Everything blended together into a beautiful harmony. I’m sure not every voice was perfect, not every note was played perfectly, but the total sounded perfect.

I think it is amazing that the composer, the creator of a musical masterpiece (not necessarily our church musical) can know how to write many complimentary parts, and arrange the emphasis, the timing, and the instruments in a way that, when played, will blend in such complete and beautiful harmony. The composer builds the end product into the creation itself. Evidently it was the same with one of my favorite groups, The Beach Boys.

Brian Wilson was the musical genius behind the unique harmonies that made their music so timeless.  It is said that Brian could actually hear the harmony of five vocal parts (specifically five Beach Boy voices) and the instruments as he wrote and arranged the music for the band. Then, in the studio, he could tell any slight variation from what he “heard” when he wrote it.

At one point during our Christmas Musical, the worship leader/conductor turned and had 2,500 of us in the congregation to join in singing one of the carols. I initially joined in full voice! My voice did not totally ruin the sound for me, but when I stopped singing, the sound returned to a much more beautiful harmony.   My voice added dissonance, not harmony. I’m sure that my voice not only soured the sound for me, but also those close around me. Thankfully, the magnitude of all those voices, instruments and the blend was overpowering as the harmony filled the room… and drowned me out. (I do take credit for being smart enough to shut up and listen.)

Not every song was my favorite. The little dance accompaniments…I could do without. I might not like every instrument that was being played. In fact, although I love drums in rock music, I would actually be fine if drums were banned from the church. But none of that spoiled the experience for me, and none of that changed the overall effect that the beauty and message of the musical had on me.

I am glad that the musical in its entirety, and the wonderful sound was all known in advance by the composer.  I am glad that Brian Wilson heard the final sound of Good Vibrations before it was even recorded.

But mostly I am thankful that God has a complete plan for humanity. A beautiful harmonious plan for all existence. That He is in charge. That the end victory has already been won.  That one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. (Romans 14:11) I may not like what is going on in our culture at the moment, or the political ups and downs that seem to go against my ideas of right and wrong.  But that does not change the end game. It was already taken into account when God put his plan in place.

It is sad to know that I can choose to live in a way that creates dissonance to His plan. And that my dissonance could spoil the sound not only for me, but also for those close to me.  But…it is great to know that if I live in step with His will and His plan, my life can add to the beauty of the harmony for those close to me … ( the way my wife’s voice does when she is singing next to me. ) I can distract or enhance, but the harmony is set and the end is accomplished.

To quote our Pastor, Mike Glenn, again: ” Peace is knowing that the story will end the way Jesus says it will end.”

When we find ourselves frustrated with the world, the political climate, our kid’s school, our job, the Senate, the Little League Coach, our future prospects, the 401K, the Supreme Court, a diagnosis from the doctor, the media…whatever…

Maybe we should just get to know the composer better. Could we just sing our parts as best we can, following the guidance He provides? Is it possible for us to just rest in the knowledge that He has written all the parts to complete His masterpiece in perfect harmony?

Maybe that’s why He tells us not to be anxious. (Luke 12:22; Matthew 6:25; Philippians 4:6; and others) About anything.

Hard to do, I know.

Grace and Peace to you.

By the way…if you’re ever near me when “It Is Well” or “And Can It Be” or “I Get Around” is playing, cover your ears. I will be singing full voice. For me, celebration trumps harmony in music every time.

You probably don’t have a hour to listen…but if you should want a little Christmas in February or March or whenever, this musical is really good!

http://brentwoodbaptist.com/media/sermon/christmas-concert-replay