Gone to the Dogs

Scripture References: Nehemiah 12:27-28, 31, 38; Hebrews 10:25

Neighbors close to a large kennel began to complain about the disruptive noise. The owner decided to experiment with music piped through the kennels to see if it would soothe the fretful dogs. It worked! Canine stress was reduced and, naturally, so was canine barking. Incredibly, some mutts even got their own headsets. Most of the hundred dogs of every kind found Bach’s music the most relaxing. Music isn’t called the universal language without reason!

In a beautiful way music offers a parallel to life. Sometimes a melody occurs in the combination of orchestra instruments that no particular instrument is playing. This happened when the first violins of an orchestra played a part of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony. Then the second violins played their part. Then they played together, and a strange thing occurred: the conjunction of the two produced a melody that neither played alone.

It is also true in the Christian life. We each praise God in our own way, in our own time. But when, in public worship, we join our bodies, souls, and voices, we make a sound for God we cannot make alone. God will always listen to the individual’s adoration, but how desperately others need to hear the voice the entire Christian orchestra speaks!

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved.