Sermon On A Harmony That Transforms A Future

Bhuwan Thapaliyam, a Nepal-born author once remarked: “Sunlight is majestic, but without clouds, rain wouldn’t grace the earth. In life, everything is woven together, each element essential to the harmony and beauty of the whole.” Romans 12:16 reminds us: “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.”

Harmony is regarded as the sublime conglomerate of distinct components. Life in a philosophical, psychological, and sociological context, is said to be contingent on consonance. Harmony is principally defined as the state of aligning internal values, emotions, and actions with the external environment, creating a sense of inner peace, purpose, and balance. Its antonym speaks of a disconnection and harshness that inhibits a future. It is regarded as a dynamic, progressive undertaking rather than a fixed destination, where different aspects of life - work, health, and relationships - cohere and complement one another. God is considered the ultimate source of perfect harmony. "A harmony that transforms a future" furthers this concept, alluding to a paradigm shift from exploitative, fragmented living to a balanced, interconnected, and sustainable coexistence between humanity, nature, and technology. It moves beyond mere efficiency or survival to foster a resilient, regenerative world where economic, social, and environmental needs are met in concert. It views the world in a God-given light that provides a new hope.

A harmony that transforms, whether found in the subtleties of music or in life, ensures the benefit of turning simplistic, static, or mundane elements into something dynamic. Emotionally profound and unforgettable, it acts as a bridge, shifting perspectives from individual, isolated parts to a cohesive, richer, and more complex whole. A transformation of life is a profound, often, and sometimes, long-term process of radical, inner change that fundamentally alters a person's identity, mindset, or way of living. It goes beyond mere behavioral adjustments, representing a complete metamorphosis - driven by catalysts like crises, breakthroughs, or new realizations - that aligns one's existence with their true self and purpose.

Without harmony, discord becomes a prevalent factor in life. It represents a state of "differing hearts" or clashing, unaligned forces rather than a peaceful, blended whole. In both human interaction and musical theory, discord is a fundamental element that signifies a lack of agreement or a moment of tension that has not yet resolved into a perfect balance. While balance implies a rigid, equal, and ideal distribution of components, harmony refers to different elements coexisting in a pleasing and synchronized arrangement. Harmony allows for and accepts constant adjustment that can transform.

A powerful biblical story of a harmony that transforms is the reconciliation between Joseph and his brothers. Joseph’s brothers, driven by jealousy, sold him into slavery in Egypt, causing a deep, violent rift in the family. After years of suffering, Joseph rose to power in Egypt. When his brothers came seeking food, he did not seek revenge, but rather sought to test their character and restore the family unit. Joseph revealed his identity and chose to forgive them, saying, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good". This decision to prioritize reconciliation over revenge healed years of pain, transformed his brothers from jealous men into a united family, and saved them from famine. Genesis 50:15-21 reminds us: “When Joseph's brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, “Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.”

Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down before him and said, “Behold, we are your servants.” But Joseph said to them, “Do not fear, for am I in the place of God? As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.” Thus he comforted them and spoke kindly to them.”

Harmony is widely considered a transformative element in the world’s healing process, acting not only as a soothing force but as a mechanism that reconciles, balances, and repairs nature, the mind, body, and emotions. Just like in music, it blends together to make pleasing and coordinated results. It operates by shifting individuals from a state of stress and "dis-ease" into a state of coherence and equilibrium, allowing for a deeper, lasting recovery. Reuniting nature with mankind is a transformative harmony. It is often referred to as rewilding, embracing "biophilia," or fostering a, reciprocal, "Unity of Nature and Man" It suggests shifting from a model of exploiting the environment to one of integration and harmony. Science suggests this reconnection would lead to profound positive changes in human health, social behavior, and ecological stability. Based on current environmental, social, and geopolitical trends, many experts and observers describe the future as "bleak" or facing, at minimum, severe challenges without a shift toward harmony - specifically, living in balance with nature and fostering human cooperation.