The first few ensembles were students in their first year of band, and the music was punctuated by squawks and squeals and more than one not-quite-in-tune instrument. But you know what? The audience didn’t care. We applauded enthusiastically, with cheers and whistles, after each song. Our children and grandchildren performed for us, and we loved it.
The experience made me think of Psalm 150:
1Praise the Lord!
Praise God in his sanctuary;
praise him in his mighty heavens!
2 Praise him for his mighty deeds;
praise him according to his excellent greatness!
3 Praise him with trumpet sound;
praise him with lute and harp!
4 Praise him with tambourine and dance;
praise him with strings and pipe!
5 Praise him with sounding cymbals;
praise him with loud clashing cymbals!
6 Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord!
Did you notice that only one instrument is repeated? Look at verse 5: “Praise him with sounding cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!” Clashing, as well as sounding.
Sounds as though God doesn’t care if the music is played flawlessly. He accepts and applauds even off-tune efforts. When He chooses us to be His own, He already has a part for us to play in His divine symphony. And He doesn’t expect perfection; He rejoices over us because He loves us.
He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by His love; He will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17b
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
We may stumble in this dance of obedience, and our songs of service may be out of tune. But whenever we step out in faith and love, our Father in Heaven cheers. Loudly!
Photo by Kian Zhang on Unsplash