HARMONY, WHAT IS IT?

Reading Assignment:  Romans Chapter 12

Paul gives us a key to getting along with others in Romans 12:16 (New Living Translation), “Live in harmony with each other;  don’t try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people,  and don’t think you know it all!”

Paul didn’t tell us to live in melody with each other. Those singing melody, follow the primary tune of the song. Voices blend together to form a strong, uniform sound. They sing the primary notes, like a group singing the National Anthem, everyone sings in their normal, everyday singing voice.

Harmony adds depth to the melody. Some harmony is very tight, like a barber shop quartet.  Though harmony is difficult to perform, it adds a dimension to the song that excites the trained listener.

Paul told us to live in harmony with one another. Harmony is a sound that compliments the melody; it is not the same note, but a complimentary one. It is not a wrong note, just a different one. 

Living in harmony with one another doesn’t mean we have to have the same views, preferences, and convictions. Our God made us unique and our experiences give us different perspectives. Paul teaches us to celebrate our differences and sing our part, but to sing the same piece of music.

Whether you wait tables in a restaurant, perform brain surgery in an operating room or preach sermons in a church, you must have people skills to succeed. Though people skills can never be replace.   Few people achieve their potential without knowing how to work with others.

Instead of trying to get others to agree with you, why not see if you can sing harmony to their melody. This is possible when you follow Paul’s advise: “Don’t try to act important, but enjoy the company of ordinary people, and don’t think you know it all!”

Faith Confession:  Father, today I decide to live in harmony with others and I understand that life isn't just about me.  I will learn to focus on the needs of others and rejoice with them as they experience the blessings of God.  I sow seeds of goodness in others lives and I receive it back into my life, in Jesus' name.