Romans 12:4-5  For as in one body we have many members, and not all the members have the same function,  so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually we are members one of another.

I remember when I was in elementary school in Manhattan Beach, CA., my 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Middleton, introduced us to the arts.  It was a time when teachers could still expound on the arts.  Although I was rather young it made an impression on me.  She introduced us to different artists like Leonardo DiVinci, Raphael, and a lesser known artist Amedeo Modigliani.  Each of these artists had different styles and techniques.  Another area of art was music.  One of the field trips we went on was to see a symphony performance.  As we sat there before the performance began we saw the musicians enter with their instruments and take their seats.  At first it was a cacophony of noise as they warmed up. There were flutes, violins, violas, bassoons, horns, drums, chimes, cellos and other instruments.  Each had a distinct sound that permeated the air.  Each instrument was in the hands of someone who had a skill to play it.  As we sat there listening and wondering what was coming next, the conductor came out.  The instruments quieted, the conductor lifted his baton and the air was suddenly filled with a melodious sound.  No longer was it a cacophony of noises but it was sounds being lifted in harmony with each other.  Each sound accentuated and filled the piece of music that was being played with their own voice and no one instrument over powered the other; yet each could be heard filling air with their special part.

The Apostle Paul reminds us that all of us have spiritual gifts and talents that God has given us to use to accentuate His glory.  Churches like the orchestra are filled with people who have special gifts or talents that can touch lives in special ways.    Like a piece of music a single instrument can play the piece however the fullness and richness of  the music is lost.   It is when all the instruments are playing their part that the beauty of piece of music is experienced in its fullness and it is heard and felt by those present.  Churches too are made up individuals who can use their gifts and talents together, not individually, rather together so others may know the richness and fullness God’s presence and love.  Without unity the church will appear to be like a cacophony of people without unity.

What are your gifts and talents?  Will you use them at your church so it can glorify God and touch lives within your walls and outside in your community.  Let each of you join together and be a church where others will hear God’s orchestra in and through your place of worship.