The Mag - WMU

Instruments
by Libby Quigg
I love instruments. I’m a guitarist, so I
have a few guitars and a bass. I also have
a collection of hand drums from different
countries that I have picked up on my
travels. My husband is a musician and
singer, and he basically plays everything
that I do not. So we have a bassoon,
saxophones, flutes, clarinets, trumpets,
trombones, pianos, kazoos, and more.
Together we probably have enough
instruments for a 30-person band. We
have so much that we actually have an
entire room in our home that is devoted
to our instruments, but they still do not
all fit in there at one time, so we keep the
lesser used instruments in three different
closets. It is ridiculous, but we actually
do play on them regularly. Perhaps this is
why I love all the Scripture passages that
mention instruments.
First Peter 2:9–10 says, “But you are the
ones chosen by God, chosen for the high
calling of priestly work, chosen to be a
holy people, God’s instruments to do his
work and speak out for him, to tell others
of the night-and-day difference he made
for you—from nothing to something,
from rejected to accepted” (The Message).
An instrument in its case is just a
bunch of wood and metal, but when it
is in the hands of a musician it comes
alive. The music that is played can
inspire someone to dance or cry. As God’s
instruments, we are played to direct
others toward God.
Different instruments play differently.
Some might play the melody, harmony,
or bass notes. The melody often contains
the most dominate notes that the
singer will match. The melody is the
lead or guide to the song. The harmony
compliments the other parts and directs
the hearer to notice the best or more
dramatic changes in the melody. The
bass is the glue that holds all the notes
together. The bass notes keep the rhythm
and help the song move forward at
different paces.
If you were God’s instrument, would
you be playing the melody (lead),
harmony (complimentary helper), or bass
(support and motivating force)? To make
a song beautiful, it must have all of these
components working together to create
music.
Today’s Challenge: First Peter 2:9–10
mentions three ways we can be utilized as
God’s instruments.
1. “To do his work”—God’s work is
simply encouraging others to believe
(Acts 14:8–10). As God’s instruments,
we must serve others so that others
will be eager to believe. What can
you do to serve someone? Do you
see someone’s need? If you are the
melody, how will you lead others to
serve? If you are the harmony, how
will you help with serving? If you are
the bass, how will you support and
motivate others to serve?
2. “Speak out for him”—God’s message
is simply telling others about
Jesus. The Bible is God’s message.
Memorizing and studying God’s
Word is a great way to prepare
yourself. What can you do to tell
others about Jesus? What stories
do you know about Jesus? Do you
know His birth story? Do you know
a teaching parable? Do you know
about His crucifixion? Can you
explain the significance of Christian
holidays?
3. “To tell others of the night-and-day
difference he made for you”—God
undeniably makes a difference in our
lives. Are you aware of the difference
God has made in your personal life?
Has your personality changed? Have
you discovered new passions and
interests? How is God moving in
your life now?
Libby Quigg is a writer, guitarist, and dancer.
She teaches missions to the children and
Acteens ® in her church and community.
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