The developing of an instrument requires first a vision and then a craftsman to begin the process. The craftsman not only sees the instrument through the vision but he knows the tune in which he or she seeks to achieve as an artist painting a picture. Sometimes during the construction process the craftsman has to tear down the instrument to start all over again but he never gives up on the God given dream or vision for he or she learns something in every attempt. Once he or she reaches the stage where the cords come into play this is where the senses must be developed and in tune to insure the proper sound of love that is to be shared in return.
As the strings are being placed into position and stretched to achieve their full potential this process often causes some to snap and to complain of their pain. Not all cords make the cut due to their own inner tension due to never learning the art of submission. Learning when to submit and when not to is a very wise process within the construction of an instrument of God that requires the unity of the people. This same process is displayed by the craftsman as well due to his or her own submission to the Lord.
We are not the craftsman for the craftsman is Jesus but we are to be an instrument of the Lord delivering the sounds of His praise. Within the instrument their are many different positions and the object is to find our particular position in order to hear the music of God that is being played. For an unbalanced instrument is an instrument without understanding and in order to have harmony we must first have unity…
James A. Harrison
Thomas D. Roth ("Tom") says
Hi, James!
Just got home from meeting you for the 1st time. What a spirit-filled blessing!
Your analogy is good. As 1 Corinthians says, we (Christians) are all members of Christ’s body, and there is to be unity.
I believe that there is a major obstacle here with authority. In our culture, we have been encouraged and trained to believe that each of us is our own authority, and then, perhaps, our boss at work, then the secular government. If any of them are ok with something, it’s ok.
We at church are a gathering of little bosses who answer to: whom?
In order to accomplish God’s work, including building up the body to maturity in order to do the work of the ministry, there must be authority. It is that way at work. It is that way in our political structure.
Yet, at church, who is fulfilling this role? We can choose what sunday school class to go to, what meetings we will go to. Etc. Yet, the Bible says Christ is our head. And we are leery, with good cause, as to letting some man dictate to us the details of our lives.
And, how could someone truly wise and loving guide us in good choices if he did not know us well. Here, I think, is a major problem to tackle. Our leaders do NOT know us. And there is no plan nor structure for that relationship to happen. This is the problem with having godly authority. A surface connection with no reality behind it. That would be very costly, and perhaps we know this instinctively. Perhaps this is why it is not happening
Paul, somewhere in one of his epistles, said that in one of his congregations, he “labored night and day”, crying over them, and with them, “until Christ was formed in” them.
I’m looking for this kind of leadership.
God bless,
Tom
admin says
It was a blessing for me in return. I look forward to your next visit and the privledge of meeting your family…