The divisions at our church’s annual meeting mirrored the divisions in my own household. I saw good people on both sides of contentious issues.

  

A few days after the church meeting, I took my son to hear a performance of his favourite work, Mahler’s 3rd Symphony. On the heels of the tension we had both experienced, the music became a visceral reminder of the Holy Spirit’s still, small voice. In one of the later movements of Mahler’s work, the principal trumpet was offstage, barely audible at times, but supplying the main theme for the piece – a sweet, longing melody calling to all who would listen. At times, some of the other instruments picked up on the trumpet’s gentle theme and harmonised with it; at other times they almost drowned it out in a frenzy of  dissonant notes.

  

I wondered, ‘Which kind of instrument am I?’ At times, I am so eager to voice my own opinions and positions that I nearly drown out God’s Spirit of truth, not to mention other people’s voices. But when I calm down enough to listen, that Spirit is still there, singing softly and tenderly. In fact, the Spirit is sometimes echoed by those I may be trying to outmanoeuvre verbally. Becoming an instrument of peace starts with listening for the Holy  Spirit.

Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to us. Give us ears to hear your truth and hearts to understand. In the name of Jesus. Amen