Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart-   Proverbs 3:3

 MercyDriven

        STAYING IN TUNE

Stringed instruments have a natural tendency to slip out of tune.  Things such as climate and environment will affect even the best of instruments.  As Christ followers we are God's instruments, created by God to make music with our lives that glorifies Him.  Unfortunately, we also have a tendency to slip out of tune.  Our old sinful nature is constantly trying to pull us out of being in perfect pitch with our Creator.  In this article, I'll share some keys that I have found to help keep my spiritual life in tune.

1. YIELD TO THE MAESTRO'S HAND.  A stradivarius is totally useless if it only sits in the corner gathering dust.  You can admire its outward beauty, but to truly bring glory to its maker, it must be played.  As God's instruments we make beautiful music for Him by yielding our lives, accomplishing HIs work in us and around us.

2.  DON'T MUTE THE STRINGS!  LET IT RING!  In the guitar, invisible forces of air move through the sound box over vibrating strings to create sound.  If I mute the strings, vibration ceases and so does the sound.  If I cover the sound hole, the airflow is restricted, thus limiting the volume of the sound.  The Bible says in I Thess. 5:19, "Quench not the Holy Spirit."  The Holy Spirit is the invisible sound force of a believer's life.  Allowing Him to fill us and flow out from us is what produces the music that brings glory to our Maker.

3.  READ AND FOLLOW THE MUSIC.  God has composed the ultimate symphony for life- His word.  Just as a tuning fork rings a true "A" at 440 Hz, God's Word rings true at all times.  It is our standard of truth.  Reading and following its music as it is written will keep us in perfect pitch with our Creator.

4.STAY IN TIME.  In the orchestra, it is imperative to keep our eyes on the conductor.  Failing to maintain communication with Him will almost certainly lead to playing out of time.  We stay in touch with our Conductor through daily prayer, watching and listening for the Conductor's direction.

Following these keys will lead to a life that makes beautiful music for God.  So, strike up the band!

                            by  Denny Spradling                    

guitar player and vocal for MercyDriven