Music Theology

My ear caught that life has chords—

pleasure and happiness,

sovereignty and belonging,

peace and becoming.

All aspects of the same thing.

All aspects of attunement.

Awakening to that

is like the beginning of an orchestral concert

when the sections tune to C first.

That tuning makes everything else possible.

I hope the world finds its note

before it begins playing again—

so it can be in alignment with itself,

in harmony with itself.

Or, if it chooses discord,

let it be intentional,

Like a sharp or flat accidental 

Or

scored for contrast

and countermelody

Life is a symphony—

Warm the embouchure.

Tune the instruments.

Review the key signature.

Anticipate the downbeat.

Sync with the tempo.

Play when it is time to play.

Rest when it is time to rest.

Crescendo to exaltation,

to anger,

to passion—

but do not overlook

the pianissimo moments.

And if something must loop,

make it worthy.

Do not always return and

DS al coda

when you could end

DS al fine

and begin

another movement.

And when the piece is done

Applaud the musical sections of course

Celebrate the soloist

Name the piece and composer, if you must

But always give gratitude

Bravo! Bravissima!

To the one whose love

blessed the entrances and exits,

inspired sound swells and pensive whispers,

signaled both impulse and completion

Their back was to the audience the whole time

They rarely saw the warmth of their reception,

And too often only grieved observed imperfections.