I do hope that you will indulge me another week utilizing
the musical analogy (Heart's Theme, What's Wrong with the Music). We have explored how the mission of Christian education resonates like a
musical theme to the very core of all that we desire to do. Yet, we discovered
that the melody can be broken and distorted by sin. The theme is not always
clearly heard. Just as with a piano that is out of tune, discord can be heard.
How do we bring the theme back into tune? Some of you may be
familiar with A440. Even if you have never heard of it, you should be thankful
for the chaos that A440 prevents. Whether you are in your car, watching a
movie, riding in an elevator, or sitting in the dentist’s chair; A440 brings
order to the music around you. A440 is the international standard for tuning a
musical instrument that states that the “A” above middle “C” will resonate at
440Hz. The difference between distortion and harmony is a perfect unchangeable
standard.
Jesus Christ is the perfect and unchangeable standard for
bringing harmony from distortion. His life and death provided the perfect
example from which we can measure our mission. We can observe His example, but
just like a musical instrument, we cannot tune ourselves to match the Standard.
A piano cannot tune itself. As one comes to know Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit
becomes that Master Tuner who stretches us to bring us into tune with the
Standard. The process of being tuned by the Master Tuner can be uncomfortable
and often produces some interesting sounds. The goal is an instrument that can
contribute to the symphony designed by the Composer.
An understanding of this process is essential to Christian
education. There is a need for constant tuning from administration to the
students. There can be discord in our musical theme, but the Cross of Jesus
Christ provides the opportunity for the Holy Spirit to tune us to become like
Jesus Christ. I am thankful to be a part of a ministry that partners with
parents to encourage this tuning. Listen . . . it may hurt your ears sometimes,
but listen . . . thanks to the Master Tuner, I can hear our mission resonating
through our halls.
“And you, who once were alienated and enemies in
your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh
through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His
sight.” Colossians 1:21-22
I really liked your essay on how the Holy Spirit "tunes" us up! I am constantly hearing people pin the blame on the Lord for being sick all the time or having a constant series of difficulties in their lives. I think the blame should be on Satan and this world, not on the Lord. Just as a piano tuner doesn't run up the piano, rip open the doors/cover to reveal the innards and then start jerking away with his tuning tools, the Lord doesn't do handle us roughly, either. He says his yoke is easy and his burden is light. He is our Father. Good fathers are gently with their children, even when they are disciplining them. They don't get some sort of sick pleasure from inundating them with problems and physical ailments to see how much they can stand. Thank you for giving me something lovely to think upon. Sandra
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