Singing in harmony

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  —Romans 15:5-6

I grew up making music with my family. Dad, a music major in college, loved to write and arrange music, adding his own special harmonization. When our family sang together, he often looked at one of us kids and pointed up or down, indicating where he wanted us to take the next note. Once in a while, we sang in unison, but mostly we had a four-part harmony, accompanied by my mom on the piano.

Harmony, in music, as well as life, generally makes things more beautiful. Several years ago, I heard a version of “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go” by the Westminster Chorus that brought me incredible joy. The hymn is beautiful, but when the harmonies are added, it’s heavenly.

Paul, in his prayer for the Romans, asks that they seek to live in complete harmony. It’s not a request for everyone to be exactly alike. Each person has their own unique gifts and skills. Not everyone carries the melody; some are called to sing harmony — to enhance the melody by adding supporting notes and phrases. Someone who is harmonizing cannot take it on themselves to create something new; that would ruin the song. But they can be creative, finding unexpected harmonies. And it must be done in collaboration with others who are contributing their voice in melodic harmony.

In our work, we would do well to look for ways to “sing harmony” rather than create discord. Instead of seeking glory or attention for our own ideas, we can live like Jesus, advancing others and helping them to look better. Our efforts may do nothing to shine a spotlight on our own agenda, but by contributing our gifts to the ideas of others, we help create a masterpiece of harmony.

Over time, my siblings and I became familiar with Dad’s style and started to anticipate the chords he wanted to create. Similarly, as we become more connected to God, we begin to see opportunities to work with others to produce something beautiful. Our work here at Loma Linda University Health will become an offering that brings joy to others and glory to God.

—Kathy McMillan, MA, is director of Employee Spiritual Care for Loma Linda University Medical Center.