“In Tune”

I’ll admit it.  I really got into American Idol this past year.  More than likely so did you.  This was my first year of allowing the most viewed show on television to demand my attention every Tuesday & Wednesday night.  (Thanks Robby & Tricia!)  One of the things that fascinated me so much was the variety of talent in the competition. Some of the competitors I would buy a CD from right now…others (most in the top 12) I wouldn’t listen to on your ipod!  The anticipation that built in me each week was quite surprising.  Why did I like it so much?  Of course, hearing Simon get to bash someone or hearing Paula make up words was awesome, but why did I look forward to Tuesday & Wednesday nights week after week?

Obviously, one of the main reasons was getting to hang out with good friends.  Not just good friends, but ones who understand music in a deeper way than I do.  Sitting in a room with musically inclined people (Robby & Tara) was quite an added bonus.  Often times words like falsetto (which I still don’t know the meaning),  pitch (baseball?), and key (thing I use to get in my apartment) were thrown around as they listened intently and joined in the judging of each artist.  They could hear things that I couldn’t.  They understand music because they are immersed in that world…they  live it and breathe it…they know when people are “in tune” and “out of tune.”  

As Christians we are invited to be “in tune” with the one who has a bigger platform than even American Idol.  Some of us are more musically inclined than others, but there is great news about this invitation: It is the author of this song who enables you to play your part just right.  The success does not come by a “vote” from others based on your capabilities, but a relationship that is rooted in the ability of the author.  This Saturday night we will be looking at the following passage and discussing what it means to be “in tune” with Christ. 

John 15:1-8  NIV John 15:1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.  5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.  6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.  7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.  8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 

This is a discussion that I am really looking forward to having on Saturday night.  Hope to see you there.