Musical Analogies (Spiritual Version)

J.M.J.

I'm sure you've heard about the concept of being God's instrument, right? Someone will say to you, you're the instrument of God in this situation! And you may wonder at some point, like I did, what exactly that means.

As some of my readers know, I'm not the best at letting go and letting God. Actually, I really stink at it. Someone asked me recently, when I said that I was stressed out, "What do you have to be stressed out about?" When I stated that it was my classes, this person said, those are not stressful! I realized in that moment that although I was feeling burnt out, that this person was right. The classes themselves aren't stressful. How I'm reacting to them is. And, since they have impacted me in such a negative way this past semester, I'm going to take a step back from classes next semester and figure my life out. I digress. At different times in my life, people have reached out to me because they know I'm religious. At these times, I feel so inadequate and anxious! I'm afraid I won't say the right thing or steer them in the wrong direction. I was trying to find some way to relax myself in such a scenario recently, and I started thinking about myself as God's instrument.

I pictured myself in a concert setting. I was the gorgeous shiny black piano on the stage. God sat down on my glossy bench and started to caress the keys. The most beautiful music came out. I had never thought of the "God's instrument" in this actual music context before. I started to feel peaceful. In this imagined setting, I saw that all I had to do was stay in tune and then God would touch my keys or gently pluck my strings (if I were a violin or cello), and allow the inspiring music to flow out of me. This took all the pressure off of me, and allowed me to just feel peaceful that God was in control. He was playing the music of my life, and I was letting Him. 

For you music nerds out there, there are some other terms that can be compared to the spiritual life and used as analogies in this context. Think of crescendo. The music turns from quiet to loud. The reason is impact. There are crescendos in your life. Sometimes they are overwhelmingly powerful, and for good reason! Your keys are being pressed firmer. Your strings are plucked with vigor. It is harder to play beautifully at a higher volume. You have to let God do so, or an out-of-tune sound comes out.

Pianissimo refers to a very quiet sound. This may be during a restful, perhaps "boring" time in your life. Not a lot is happening. But without this quiet lull, the crescendos would not have as much effect.

Finally, consider rests. These are periods in which no sound is emitted whatsoever. We need these times, for they provide interest and are pleasing to the ear. Constant sound is disturbing. Pauses allow the listener to relate to the rest of the piece. 

Who is the audience? Society. They are all watching you, but if you allow yourself to be in tune, they will notice the Musician more than the instrument. That is your goal. That is my goal. Become God's instrument, and He will direct your inner and external chords to be something for His greater glory.

God bless you!

Stephanie