Out of Tune

A piano is tuned to ensure that it performs at its highest level, giving the best sound and feel. Approximately 200 strings are adjusted and tightened during the process. Recently I read that it takes more than 10 tons [more than 20,000 pounds] of pressure to tune a piano. The same writer, commenting on an old blacksmith shared something profound: ‘ If a piece of steel refuses to be tempered it is thrown into the scrap heap and sold to the junk man for cents per pound. Reflecting on life, he said that one thing he feared was being thrown into a scrap heap’.

Avoiding life’s tune ups, jumping off the Potter’s wheel and refusing to be tempered are common human tendencies. Why? No one likes the processing, though we delight in the end product. I love the me that rises up after a tough season – however, I am yet to truly love those seasons. Tempering steel requires it to be exposed to extremely high temperatures — below it’s melting point and then cooled. The end goal is have a product that has increased strength, endurance and toughness. It develops structural integrity –can withstand pressure without folding. I’d like to think this is what God has in mind when He allows us to encounter trials of varying kinds. The ease of life can often cause us to be out of tune. The applied pressure and stretching is not intended to destroy us – there is a version 2.0 waiting to unfold. After the tune up – the music that flows out of our lives should definitely sound different. A sound that echoes gratitude, grace, mercy, humility and kindness.

***Thanks for reading. The tune up is temporary- stay put.