The Orchestra of Faith - Part 2
In the musical world, the maestro is a person of talent, familiar with music and competent with instruments. He has a plan for the music which we might call a symphony. He chooses the various people of talent to chair his orchestra and present the symphony.
From the Christian perspective, the maestro is God. He choses people for His work. And we won't get into the Calvinist issues here, especially since there is no agreeable answer to it anyway.
The maestro seeks the various players from the masses of musicians interested in being a part of this work. God seeks those of this world who have an interest in Him, James 4:8.
The instrumentalists are drawn to apply by their interest in music and their want to be a part of the orchestra. In the Christian world, folks are drawn to the work by the Holy Spirit. He brings those of interest in the things of God to the heavenly maestro which is God the Father. I find in Genesis 1:27, God gave man certain Godly "attributes" contained in His "image," two of which are the abilities to know right and wrong, and a conscience. These develop and direct in time, for all time.
Once selected, the musicians are put under the leadership of an individual for each section, a section being the instruments of kind, string, percussion, etc. In the "religious" realm, we would see the church "pastor" in this role for the local church, along with his group of deacons, doing this work.
In the total realm of things, the maestro has a multi-faceted role or title. He is the planner, the gatherer, the arranger, but he is also the conductor. As the maestro, his work is mostly behind the scenes. As the conductor, he stands in front of the musicians where they can see him and follow his lead.
In Christianity, having been led by the Holy Spirit, folks are put under the hand of the maestro. Again, the maestro takes on the dual position of conductor as above, though both of which may have the approximate same meaning. God is there, unseen, planning and directing, but He is a spirit, John 4:24, not visible to the human eye. Yet Christians can see and hear the conductor. He is Jesus Christ, God incarnate, John 1:14.
The "music" each individual presents is to be satisfying. To this extent, those in the musical orchestra who do no perform properly are excused, put out. But in the Christian world, this does not happen. Even though we "hit sour notes" and may be set aside for a time, or even walk away, we remain God's musicians for eternity, John 3:16.
And last in this analogy, the instruments and players are worthless without “sheet music.” The maestro must assemble these pages in order for everyone. God created and assembled the sheet music for the believer. We call it the Bible.
When we are not in “concert” with the work of God, we just make strange noises that accomplish little but irritation. And, by the way we could apply this from the “individual” member of the Church to the ones that have large international audiences. When an instrument is not in tune with the rest of the orchestra and/or not following the proper sheet music, there will be no melody, no symphony, only noise.
We close with the words of Paul the Apostle. Paul said when I do not that which I am called to do or go my own way, in, “... I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.", 1 Corinthians 13:1. This is the great chapter on "charity" not to be confused with "love." In this verse, Paul is talking to believers about their interaction with others, believers or not.
Our music may be as soft as a Strauss waltz or seem as brutal as parts of the 1812 overture. But, if played according to the “sheet music,” God will direct it to those in need, Jude 1:22-23. "Play" your part and God will do the rest.