Tension

In order to make a guitar sound good, the guitar strings must be tied on at both ends. A string that is only tied on at one end does not make music. In fact, it is tied firmly at both ends. It is important that it be firm at both ends. It doesn't matter how firm it is on one end, if the other end is loose it will not make a sound. Further, if a D string is meant to make a D sound, there is a precise measurement of exactly how tight it needs to be at both ends. Great care is taken to ensure the tension is correct. This precise tension is not optional, it is a requirement. No musician would argue this. If one musician said the string was tied on at this end, and another musician said the string was tied at the other end, they would not be in contradiction. They would be in agreement. The string is tied on at both ends, and that is good. The tension creates beauty.

Have you noticed, there is a great deal of tension in the Bible? I have heard it referred to as contradiction, but that is not the case. It is tension, required tension, for the purpose of making beautiful music. I'm so excited that I have discovered this! It is such a beautiful thing!

At the base of the guitar is a 'bridge.' This bridge is a fixed point at which the guitar strings are initially, firmly attached. On the other end is the headstock, where the strings are at first, loosely attached, then pulled to the correct tension. There is a fixed, and a variable. I wonder if it would be correct to think that the 'bridge' would be the Truth, the whole Truth, and nothing but the Truth. The constant. The security. The finished work. The things that are immovable.

The headstock would the variable, the part that needs to be tweaked, tuned, refined. The part that determines whether the music is beautiful, or just a hair off of tune...

In order to make beautiful music, both ends need to be tied on. It is God's will that none should perish, that all should come to know him, yet, only those who call on his name will be saved. Can't do without either one. Did he find me, or did I find him? Is it all predetermined, or do I have free will? The answer is yes, to both questions, and there is tension, beautiful tension. Does God love me? Yes! Do I need to be saved from his wrath? Yes! Tension... He loved me SO MUCH that he sent his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should NOT perish, but have everlasting life! Beautiful tension! Has he made incredible promises? Yes! Do I need faith to receive these promises? Yes! Has he given us everything we need for life and godliness? Yes! Through.... my knowledge of him who called me... Just tied on at one end...? No music... Tied on tight at both ends? Beautiful! Has the battle been won? Yes! Do I need to 'put on armour?' Yes! Do I have the 'mind of Christ?' Yes! Do I have to renew my mind? Take captive every thought to make it obedient? Yes!! Have I been sealed with the Spirit, a deposit guaranteeing my inheritance? Yes!! Do I need to 'live by' the Spirit? Fan into flame the gifts of the Spirit? Be filled with the Spirit? Keep in step with the Spirit? Be baptised in the Spirit? Be careful not to grieve the Spirit? Be careful not to quench the Spirit? Yes!! Tension! Tuning! Tweaking! Refining! Can't let go of either end! Must take great care to ensure the tension is correct! Beautiful music! FRUIT!! Life comes and rubs on the strings and there is beauty! There is harmony!

Can we learn to embrace this tension? To love it? To nurture it, rather than resist it?

You may have noticed that a guitar has more than one string. A skilled musician can make beautiful music with only one string, but he can make more beautiful music when all the strings are in tune. I may have Life with the one string, but I can have Life, and have it more abundantly when all the strings are in tune! I have often said that God is like a many faceted diamond, each facet as beautiful as the next. Can I also say that God is like a many stringed instrument? Having one string in tune is good, but having all the strings in tune is better?! Psalm 103 says to 'forget not ALL his benefits'. David knows there were multiple things accomplished by God on our behalf, multiple strings attached to the 'bridge.' He is reminding himself to see them all, to use them all! God is not a one stringed banjo! Praise the Lord, O my Soul!! Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

PS: I wonder if, when I find myself saying that I am hungry, or that I am longing for 'more', if what I'm really saying is that I'm a bit out of tune, the tension isn't right and I need a little help...