For A Guitarist

Because of all of Mike’s music making—much of it on the guitar—and to honor his memory, I thought it would be good for us to think about guitars, guitar playing and life.

Guitars improve with age. The older they get the better they sound. Richer, fuller, sweeter. Lives well lived are the same.

Most guitars have six strings. Those strings sound best when they are played together in chords. Harmonies happen. Can pick out a tune with one string; some people can do that with great skill and with lightning speed, but guitars sound best when the strings are played together.

A guitar has to be in tune to sound good. I am sure Mike spent time tuning his guitars. “Even in the case of lifeless things that make sounds, such as the flute or harp, how will anyone know what tune is being played unless there is a distinction in the notes?” 1 Corinthians 14:7.

Our lives can be compared to a guitar. If they are out of tune, then our lives are not well played. So many have their lives out of tune with God. God is the one who gives life, our lives need to be lived in tune with God. He is the one with perfect pitch, a perfect tune. ““Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:1-6, NIV.

How about that? When this gig ends is the music just over or is Jesus telling the truth about the rooms in his Father's home we heard about? Is it true we know how to get there? Thomas thought he didn't. Do we know the key to that tune?

Jesus said, "I am." Play our life song in the key of Jesus.

Jesus said, "I am the way." Play our life song according to the score Jesus wrote especially for us because He loves us.

Jesus said, "I am the truth." Jesus means “My song is true. I have perfect pitch.” Play our life song according to His word, the Bible. This is the best, most tuneful, most trustworthy, chord chart book of all time.

Jesus said, "I am the life" of the party that counts and which never, ever ends with a hangover.

You can trust me, Jesus says. If we want eternal life in one of those rooms in our Father's home,we must join the band, the church and submit to the band leader, Jesus. Plan of salvation.

What do we do while waiting to go home? WE play music here with the other band members. Jesus wants to bring us together to sing the sweet love song of heaven, on earth. Come make heavenly music before it is too late and the the gig is over. All my life was wrecked by sin and strife, discord filled my heart with pain; Jesus swept across the broken strings, stirred the slumbering chords again. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, sweetest name I know, fills my every longing, keeps me singing as I go.