Letting God Write the Music to Your Life

I discovered a couple of verses recently that I have read before, but I received new revelation when I read them this time around. Both are found in 1 Corinthians where Paul is talking about how to set up the church. Even though these verses are speaking mostly about the church, I think they carry every day application.

The first is:

"For God is not a God of disorder but a God of peace." 1 Corinthians 14:33

The second and, perhaps, the most captivating to me is:

"Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will any one know what tune is being played unless there's a distinction in the notes." 1 Corinthians 14:7

As I meditate on each of these verses I think about music. I am definitely not a trained muscian or professional; however, I do love music, always have, always will. As I thought about the flute and the harp and the distinct sounds they make, I started wondering what a song about my life would say. What types of notes would be played? What words would frequent the song? Is there a distinction in the notes I play that separates me from the world?

Here are the questions I asked myself:

1. Am I singing what I am playing? In other words, do I practice what I preach? Do my actions speak louder than my words. Do I live out Christ? In music, some lyrics just don't go with some music. Same in life, acting one way and speaking another is very confusing to the watcher/listener.  No one ends up enjoying it. Easy enough.

2. Does the music I play draw people to me or repel them away? Is my life song inviting? Do others want to be around me or stay away from me? Do the notes I play make people want to hear more or do they wish I had a volume button so they could turn me down or mute me all together? Of course, we all hit wrong notes now and again, but am I living consistently?

3. Am I uplifting or destructive? Most of us have been moved by a song. Songs hold the power to control our emotions and make people feel good, bad, ugly, indifferent, sad, moody and so forth. I want to make sure that I am uplifting to people. I want to edify the spirits of others not tear them down.

4. Do I help get Jesus stuck in the heads of others? We have all had a song stuck in our head for some reason or another. Sometimes, we wish we didn't, but we just can't stop singing it. So I ask myself, does my life emulate the life of Jesus? Does my presence make them think of Him? If they are around me enough, will they get to know my Jesus?

5. Am I a peaceful song or am I singing out of key? As the verse above states, God is a God of peace and order not a God of chaos and disorder. Any good piece of music has order. It flows flawlessly from one note to the next. Am I able to remain calm in the heart of the storm? Do I let my life get chaotic and out of control? Or am I able to remind others of the wonderful peace of our Savior by exuding peace, joy, mercy and grace myself?

Let God write the sheet music to your life. He will put every note in the perfect place. He never misses a beat. Practice the music. Become the music.

By the way:

Here's a song worth getting stuck in your head.