Contrasts

Life is full of contrasts. That’s good, basically. I was reminded of that recently while attending a wonderful concert by the Kansas City Symphony. As the music washed over me I was aware of the contrast between soft and loud, fast and slow, high and low, legato (smooth) and staccato (detached), consonant and dissonant. All of these features make the music delightful. Even the contrast in the sounds of the varied instruments results in a beautiful blend.

How like life! We need the highs and lows. The intensity and relaxation. Learning to pace ourselves is important in this fast paced world. And surrounding ourselves with all kinds of beautiful sounds is stimulating. The soloist was outstanding! (Joshua Bell is my favorite violinist.) But the sound of his playing was even more exquisite when backed by the orchestra.

We need each other in order to be at our best. We can be individualistic, but how much greater the impact when we are with like-minded friends under the leadership of a great conductor. Is God in charge of your life? Your pace? Your interpretation of the score provided? Are you enjoying the united development of the theme with those in your community? Here’s Paul’s advice to the Roman Christians: “For just as you have many members in one physical body and those members differ in their functions, so we, though many in number, compose one body in Christ and are all members of one another. Through the grace of God we have different gifts” (J. B. Phillips). I think he was emphasizing the contrast in gifts here and showing how those contrasts can blend together to make a beautiful whole.

I know I’m changing the imagery here, but I took another look at Psalm 23 today in the light of all this thinking about contrasts in life. As we pursue our individual journeys, we are in the company of the rest of the flock. And our Great Shepherd leads us through lots of contrasting places and experiences. There are lush pastures to nourish us, flowing water to quench our thirst, protection and provision in dangerous places.  Whatever we need whenever we need it. That doesn’t mean we are never in difficulty. But we know that those times will propel us to the next phase of the journey until our cup overflows again.

And how about that final verse? “I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6). His dwelling place is a great contrast to the world in which we live now. And our life here will end, but in the hereafter, we will live eternally. Isn’t that a fantastic thought?