Harmony

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Posted by Annette Burrell, July 24, 2024

“The Jason Hoard band performed a concert at my church a few weeks ago. He and his two daughters were the vocalists, so you can imagine, being family, what beautiful harmonies they made together." And when they sang in unison, it was as if they were one body. It was beautiful music to my ears.

I started learning how to play music on a black plastic flute in elementary school. I advanced to a metal silver-plated flute and carried that into high school.  I learned how to read notes and play scales during my practice time. Other classmates chose different instruments, which allowed us to form a band. When we played our black flutes together, we all played the same notes, meaning we played in unison. When we started playing our more advanced instruments, we began to play different notes that when played together, made chords and provided beautiful harmonies.

It's like that in a choir also.  A choir generally has five sections—Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone, and Bass. Within those sections, even those parts can be dissected to form chords. I once had a choir director, when asked by a member if the pianist could play the note she was supposed to be singing—his response was, “As long as it’s in the chord, we are good.”  Good harmonies are often beautiful, but when you are singing the wrong note or out of tune . . . Let’s just say I don’t want to be the one that stands out in that situation.

“The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

'He is good; his love endures forever.' Then, the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud.

-2 Chronicles 5:13 (NIV)

This was done just after the temple was completed and they were preparing for the dedication ceremony. The Israelites had reason to celebrate. The temple had just been completed and God would finally have a dwelling place. After they sang  praise to the Lord, the temple was filled with the cloud! God was present.

Coming off the high school graduation season, I imagine many of you celebrated loved ones—or maybe even your own—graduation(s). Many graduates had private celebrations afterward.  Around the same time, we celebrated Memorial Day, then came the 4th of July with all the fireworks and music.

I love reasons to celebrate. How about you?

What things cause you to want to celebrate or throw a big party? As I write this, today is my daughter’s middle son’s birthday. I think of his 17 years here on earth and look at the fine young man he is becoming. It’s a reason to celebrate. I look at him, and I see my daughter, who is strong-willed, independent, and family-oriented. I like to think I’m the same way, but we are all different. Even though we have the same blood running through our veins, we don’t necessarily have the same gifts and talents. That’s what makes us work so well together—one cooks, one cleans, one organizes, etc. 

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. -Romans 12:4-5 (NIV)

My daughter and I share a love of music. I love harmonizing with her. Her sisters are the same way, their voices blend so well. I think it’s the blood thing. It’s like when I played in the band. The harmonies are beautiful if three flutes, tuned well, play different notes together. But if they are out of tune, it is noticeable. 

The Bible says to be in harmony is to be like-minded.

Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. - Philippians 2:2 (NIV)

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” -1 Peter 3:8 (NIV)

How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! -Psalms 133:1 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

As we go through life, pray we be mindful when we are out of tune. May we strive to be like-minded and live in harmony, loving one another and having compassion for others. And may our lives demonstrate the things that are pleasing to God.  

Annette Burrell is an author, speaker, and singer/songwriter. Through Annette’s years of being a public servant, and her devotion to studying the Bible, God has equipped her to lead women into His presence, and share with them how they can grow in Christ. Her passion is learning, sharing about the Heavenly realms, and God’s plan of protection for us as believers.