Look! The marching band steps smartly in formation out to the field, each member perfectly spaced in straight lines. Listen! On cue the music begins, a stirring Sousa song.

    Suddenly, pandemonium!

    Three hundred people instantly break formation. Everyone is going this way and that way. Down on the field at ground level it looks totally disorganized.

    However, high above in the stands the spectators see an entirely different view. The marching band has become a large, moving bird shape, then morphs into a waving flag. An astounding complexity is seen in a beautifully executed program of sound, sight, and color. Now a double helix is transformed into an outline of a bugle. On and on, incredible designs are executed with rapid and exact precision. The choreography works amazingly well.

    Every member of the marching band down on the field has his or her own assignment. While it might not make much sense to that person, on a much larger scale it’s vital that movements be precisely correct.

    So it is with our Christian life.

God has a magnificent plan to all of this.

    From your own personal point of view, down at ground level, you proceed forward, making good time, and good progress. Suddenly, all around you, the marchers begin going in different ways. Your assignment now calls for you to go ten steps backwards; and meanwhile everyone is to continue playing their instruments.

    If we are not a band, but simply one player by himself, the music doesn’t sound so great. All together, however, with everyone playing the right notes at the right time and marching in step, and the effect is outstanding. A recognizable tune emerges in full harmony with clashing cymbals and beating drums and dazzling designs. What a spectacle!

    Next time your life takes an unexpected turn, or you seem to be standing still, just keep the beat — keep doing the thing God has given you to do. God has a magnificent plan to all of this. You are part of a huge, glorious band of believers. Just imagine how fabulous the whole thing looks from above, as each of us plays our part and reflects the Son’s brightness to the world and beyond. The apostle Paul reminds us that the manifold wisdom of God is “made known by the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 3:10) That as each of us plays our part and marches in step with the leading of the Spirit, “we will hold to the truth in love, becoming more and more in every way like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” (Ephesians 4:15-16)

 

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© 2003, Elaine Hardt. Used by permission.

Title: "The Marching Band"
Author: Elaine Hardt
Publication Date: April 26, 2003