Keys to the Kingdom
By Carolyn Tucker
Out of Tune
Between Ralph and I, we have 141 years of experience in playing our musical instruments (guitar and piano). We’ve been music-and-family friends for many years, playing various shows, recitals, and churches together. Recently, we were preparing to play at a local country church and Ralph was tuning his guitar. Since the piano was slightly out-of-tune, we had to troubleshoot and basically tune the guitar to the piano. It wasn’t perfect, but we did the best we could to at least be in tune with each other! It was kinda’ like playing our instruments in a three-legged race. Ralph and I had a blast and nobody threw rotten tomatoes at us, so I think it was a win-win.!
You know, some people can’t carry a tune in a bucket. And if they happen to be singing, there’s just no way to cover that up. The late George Younce, famous Southern Gospel bass singer once said, “I’ve heard so much off-tune singing I kinda’ like it.”
Can Christ followers get out of tune with God? Yes – by disobedience to His Word. Actually, a willfully-disobedient Christian is an oxymoron; like jumbo shrimp, fresh clabbered milk, pretty homely, plastic silverware, and awfully good. Love for Christ is proven and demonstrated by our obedience to all that He says. John the Beloved recorded Jesus’ words, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words” (John 14:23-24 NKJV).
It’s painful for a musician to play an instrument that’s out-of-tune. And when believers are out of tune with God, He can’t stand the dissidence. God can’t literally stand to live in our home when we’re off tune with Him. Something or someone has to give and it’s not going to be God. Here’s a royal plan spoken beautifully by J. Hudson Taylor, “Do not have your concert first and tune your instruments afterward. Begin the day with God.”
Get in tune with God. Maybe you’re playing on the wrong page – repent and change your sheet music. Please don’t tune your life to your own philosophy or today’s messed-up culture. Do your Christian walk God’s way. His way is as plain as day in His Word. God makes so much of our faith, our endeavor, and our obedience. If you have faith even as small as a single mustard seed, your prayers will be answered – one way or another (ref. Matthew 17:20). God isn’t partial – He’s given every believer an equal amount of faith.
Apostle Paul instructed believers, “For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you” (Romans 12:3 BSB). Evidently, that beginning portion of faith is enough to get us saved, baptized, and sanctified. Plus, we can make daily faith deposits in our heart account as we walk with Him in full obedience. Sometimes we don’t need more faith, we just need to use the faith we already have! Stop thinking you don’t have enough faith to accomplish great things for God. You do!
The Key: Start every day with God and tune your heart to his heart.