I was listening to a piece by Dvorak recently. I was enamored at the time by the brass section at the time. The euphonium was robust and proud. It filled me with glee as the entire brass and woodwind section grew and seemed to explode toward the end of a phrase. As I was still calming myself from the euphoric explosion, I heard a small flurry of instruments that played a rather quick, soft part. I had to rewind to discover it was the strings. Then the brass section again came prancing in. This cycle occurred twice before moving to the next phrase. 

It caused me to pause.

Although we are all awed and overwhelmed by the majesty of the brass, the subtler strings often are the ones that bring us to tears. When the Violins play, there is often a skillful soloist that pours their very soul into the performance of a piece. They are then greeted with thunderous applause in recognition; the concert master is almost always the first chair violinist. Names like Isaac Stern and Yoyo Ma come immediately to mind when we think of the strings, and orchestra in general.  

What of the viola? Were you even aware of such an instrument’s existence? To those ignorant of the orchestra, it appears to be a violin, but it is unique and essential to harmony. Can you name me an oboist? Perhaps a bassoonist? Could you even point out a bassoon in the orchestra? Yet these instruments provide important harmony and counter melody in numerous pieces that add richness and depth. 

These all get a grandiose stage. What of the Mandolin? It used to be the instrument of choice for vocal accompaniment for centuries. Even now, it is quintessential to the bluegrass world. The modern music companion is the trusty guitar. Is it inferior to the seductive violin or boisterous clarinet? No. In fact, most modern music features the guitar as the lead instrument, and power guitar solos frequent the favorite songs of our time. Unnoticed often in the background is the faithful drum keeping the rhythm and driving the song forward.  Though it is “least” among the modern band essentials in prominence, it is far harder to master than the guitar, bass, or piano/keyboard. 

By now, I trust you’ve see my point. We are all instruments in the grand concert of this life. God is the one that has given us each an “instrument”, perhaps multiple. The one that is the Piano of life is no less important than the Viola. You also would not expect to hear a cornet in a hard rock ballad, nor a synthesizer in a fugue. Every instrument has a purpose and a genre in which it shines. We must all realize our own instrument/s and genre/s in which to perform. We also should not overestimate our part in the concert of life, but recognize it for what it is, and appreciate the part that others also play. 

It is also important to note that if we are instrumentalists in the concert we are all equal and subservient to the conductor, and that conductor is Christ. Without Christ orchestrating the concert of life, the sections compete against each other, the soloist attempt to out due each other,and an atonal cacophony results that gives everyone a migraine.

Know your parts, love the other parts, and follow the conductor.

There is more than one instrument in the wondrous symphony of life.  

“I’ve had enough of seeing love

Being played like some game

I know why the good old days are gone

Cause everyone just tolerates whats wrong

I’m not some empty space for rent”–“Innocent”–Stellar Kart

Why do we treat love like a game? Why are we comfortable with having “lovers”, but no official commitment to those individuals? Why are we so quick to give away the most valuable, physical capability we posses (both intrinsic and extrinsic)? Why has culture gotten to the point where sex with anyone and everyone is the norm? Do we really think so little of ourselves? Do we really think so little of each other?

Well, “I am NOT some empty space for rent.” And neither are you.

You are special, made in the image of God. You are the crowning achievement of God’s creation, so is every man and woman. All people are intrinsically valuable because they bear the image of God, they are a unique creation, with a valuable and unique purpose. The deepest expression of commitment, love, and passion towards another individual is sex. It is a deep bond, an emotional euphoria, a physical high, and a spiritual fusion. Why are we so quick to spend it on whomever? We are renting out something that should be saved and spent for one person, for life.

I believe we’ve mistaken love for lust. Lust is selfish, it seeks to satisfy itself. Lust is impatient, it destructively seeks immediate results at the cost of itself and others. Lust is insatiable, it constantly demands more. Lust is not Love.

Love…is patient, it is kind, it is not prideful, it is not rude, it never fails. Love is a choice, love is a commitment, love is a bond. The society we find ourselves in is saturated with instant gratification at whatever cost. We are incapable of loving in this culture because of this. The only way we can learn to love again is to invest in each other. Sex is beautiful, but it is a product of true love; not a cause. What means more? Sex with multiple people; living thrill ride to thrill ride, with little to no investment else wise, or sex with one person whom sticks with you “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you live”?

Love, not lust is what we need to seek. I don’t want to be an empty space for rent. I want to be a home. A home that is dwelt in for a long time. To provide pleasure and protection. Security and freedom. Shelter from the storm, and the fire’s warm caress.  For life, not a whim. For love, not lust.