An instrument in tune

Two weeks ago, I got to play the pipe organ in the original Mother Church edifice in Boston. What a treat!


If you are unaware, I have a pipe organ background, going back to my days at Stanford University. While in college, I took lessons from one of the finest organists in the world, loved the opportunity, and continued to play extensively for several years afterward in local churches, recitals and concerts in my hometown region of Washington State.


I lost the time to keep practicing, and, alas, my extensive repertoire languished and my skills got rusty. But I’ve never lost the basic ability to sit down and play some beautiful music when given the chance.


It’s been 10 or 15 years since I’ve sat on the bench of a fine and large pipe organ like the one in The Original Mother Church. When I pulled out the stops, put my fingers to the keys and feet to the pedals, and played “Shepherd, show me how to go,” my heart started to go pitty-pat. The exquisiteness, the purity, the rich romantic voluptuous tone of the pipes, brought back so many warm memories of what it feels like to play a well-cared for instrument that had the capacity to play some of the finest organ music ever written. My sense took flight. I soared with the wings of eagles and mingled with angels on high. It was sooooo satisfying.


My experience with pipe organs has not always been this enjoyable. I’ve played many instruments over the years, and most have problems. Stops don’t work. Buttons don’t do what they are supposed to do. Pipes are out of tune, some severely so. I didn’t encounter any of these problems while playing this organ. The music just flowed and flowed, and how beautiful, awe-inspiring and warm it was. I was in musical heaven.


Afterward, I pondered the connection between that organ being in tune and ready to play and our thought being “ready and in tune” to meet the demands of any day.


When the instrument is ready, the musician can perform.


In the everyday scheme of life, one might say that God is the musician and we are the instrument. God plays the divine melodies of Truth and Love through us for the benefit of all. When we are “in-tune,” when our thinking is pure, spiritual and inspired, God’s best work shows up in us and is clear for all to witness around.


So,…you probably saw this coming, “Keep your instrument in tune today and let the heavenly strain of Love be heard by all around!”