Wrong Notes

Since I was born into a musical family, it was natural that piano lessons would be in my future. My grandparents, my parents, uncles and aunts, all were musicians. Some were exceptional in ability. My father, in particular, is a brilliant organist, pianist, and composer. His giftedness included playing accordion and most brass instruments. Mom is no slouch when it comes to music either. She can play the tuba and the flute! Yes, I said the tuba and the flute. I credit her with teaching me to play piano by ear. Thanks Mom!

The influences of music were great and numerous. At the age of 6 I began my 17 years of piano study.

What a blessing it was to have many piano teachers built in to the family unit. Dad of course was the first and best. My teachers were like transfusions of blood. They were feeding musical life into me. As expected, I did not always appreciate the learning process. Long hours of practice that pre-empted the fun of childhood and the teenage years were "a drag", but necessary.

Countless times I have made mistakes while playing the piano, keyboard, and organ. At times, they have been embarrassing and awkward. Let me recall one example:

Once during a tremendous church service in Kansas City, I made a huge blunder. Some who know me well might say that there were many and they might be telling the truth but this particular gaffe is particularly related to the worship set.  The song, was the popular song, "Jesus is Alive". I did not have music in front of me because I knew the song. I confused myself by thinking the first chord was the key that the song was in. I played the song in the key of A flat. However, the introduction began the song so the song was not in A flat it was in the key of E flat. Fourteen hundred people sang the song as if they were The Chipmunks. We had to stop after a courageous try so that the red-faced pianist could correct a series of wrong notes!

I have played millions of correct notes and I have played the same, if not more, wrong notes. Did I stop playing the piano or trying? No! In the midst of the many mistakes, I learned. What I learned was not how to play fewer mistakes but how to keep going when I felt like I was in the unforgiving spot light.

On that note (pun intended), the prophet Amos recorded God’s message to those who are complacent and do not seek justice and righteousness. "Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps." (Amos 5:23) "You have lifted up the shrine of your king, the pedestal of your idols, the star of your god which you made for yourselves." (Amos 5:26)

The point that Amos was trying to convey  this:  God does not listen passively to our music when our lives do not parallel our songs. We may play and sing flawlessly but live recklessly. This will not be winked at by God. The music may sound great, the singers may look wonderful, and everything may be in place, but God may still be hearing wrong notes if we don’t match our attempts at worship in song with equal attention to our personal character. God is listening to our lives just as much as our songs!

After all, worship is for him. He’s listening and watching.