Ping!

 by Macy Johnson

“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart O God, you will not despise.”

(Psalm 51:17 NIV)

 

I sat quietly and read through my weekly Bible Study on the book of Ephesians while my piano received its annual tuning. The sporadic sounds of notes played repeatedly were a distraction. Ping! A sudden “crack” reverberated through the house. 

 

“What happened?” I asked the piano technician. “One of your strings for C above middle C was frayed and caused a false tune. When I touched it, it snapped,” he replied. “How often does that happen?” I asked. “Out of the four hundred pianos I tuned in the past year this is the second one,” he said and quickly replaced the string.  

 

What causes a piano string to break? Age and usage are the main culprits. I have practiced on my piano more lately with new opportunities to accompany church choirs. During this time God has opened my eyes to the condition of my heart. Similar to my piano string, it has been recently damaged and overworked with many schedule and venue changes in His kingdom’s service.

 

When the Holy Spirit touches my heart, it often breaks. Like a rusty metal string, my heart needs to be gradually brought up into tune over time to be on pitch with Him. If I try to rush the process and stretch the strings of my heart too quickly, they will snap. I must be flexible and content with God’s timing of my heart’s tuning.

 

If I stayed home and did not allow God to stretch my heartstrings, I might have less anxiety. That is not an option. My heart is not my own.

 

I will ask my heavenly Father to gently tune the strings of my heart as I serve Him. I hope you will too!