Sermon On In Tune With Life

Ralph Marston, an American writer once remarked: “Live your days on the positive side of life, in tune with your most treasured values. And in each moment you'll have much to live for.” Philippians 4:7-9 reminds us: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”

"In tune with life" is a favored idiom that implies a person is fully unveiled and aware of the presence and significance of happenings, be it on a global scale, and/or in the immediate vicinity. It embraces the beauty and progress of life without hindrance, essentially living with a deeper appreciation and connection to the environment and one’s inner self, coupling it with a sense of joy and understanding. Life only creates what one puts into it. It's primarily about remaining mindful and aligned to the natural rhythms of an existence. Individual strands combine to form essential factors that could be likened to a musical chordophonic instrument. Separate strings require the correct amount of tension to resonate a beautiful and refined sound. But, each need to consistently remain in harmony with everything else to achieve the perfect timbre. If one plays them well, then the sounds reward.

Strands could be related to the harmonies of life. They are interactions formed over time with the many elements of everyday life. These include general relationships with others, love and friendship including family members, work encounters, education, passions and achievements. Romans 12:16-18 confirms: “Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”

If a musical instrument becomes out of tune, then there is often discord as a result. Its neglect may often be the primary cause of such an imperfection. Selfish needs may symbolize straying from the right path and going one’s own way, discarding everything that life has to offer. That can damage the melodious orchestration of life. The instrument can’t perform as originally intended as the correct tension of its strings becomes slack through dilapidation. However, when that instrument is found, the strings lovingly tightened and plucked again, then beautiful music is once more palpitated and a new rejuvenated life begins.

Luke 15:11-32 confirms: And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’

And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.