“Music is an agreeable harmony for the honor of God and the permissible delights of the soul.” ~ Johann Sebastian Bach
Harmony is one of those things you have to have completely or you don’t have at all. I remember when one of my sons was in an elementary school beginner band. We all attended his first concert and let’s just say they were in pursuit of harmony, but it was eluding them. Complete harmony was a little out of reach for their talent and skill level. Achieving harmony is not easy.
The simple idea of all the parts coming together perfectly to make a pleasant sound takes a lot of hard work and practice. The band illustration serves as a musical metaphor for how elusive harmony can be in our relationships as well. We are always better when we are in sync with those around us. We all need to be reading our notes off the same page.
Whether it’s your family, church or team at work, you either have complete harmony or you don’t have it at all. Some days you’ll have it and other days you won’t. Just as successfully blending the right notes in music requires a lot of skill and practice, so does achieving harmony in relationships. The beginner band wasn’t quite there yet, but to their credit, they were working on it. There will be days in your organization where you’ll feel a lot like you’re leading a beginning band.
Don’t settle for discord when harmony is possible. Imagine the enjoyment of an audience hearing the pleasant sound of harmony produced by skilled musicians who are fully together and in tune with each other. Paul wrote to his friends in Rome to strongly encourage them to work at living in complete harmony with one another.
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 NLT)
Complete harmony is an ideal that few of us achieve consistently. The hard work to get there requires a great deal of practice and mutual encouragement. Harmony is only achieved when each person is faithfully and intently playing their part. You may be playing your part well. Be patient with those who aren’t quite there yet. Encourage them. Just like the beginner band, keep working on it together. Harmony is a group endeavor that requires the full cooperation of individuals committed to a unified performance.
Good leaders must bring complete harmony to their team by modeling strong character with genuine humility and patience. You have an audience and leading your team with complete harmony will gain their respect and appreciation. Their applause will make all the hard work worth it. Strive to lead your team in complete harmony today and God will be glorified.