When playing with a small orchestra or band or choir, without a conductor, who is the leader? Often, it is the pianist. I used to joke with one music minister at a small church about how he better be nice to me, since I could really make him look silly during a service by playing too slow or too fast or the wrong piece, and so on.
But the pianist isn’t really in charge of everyone. What happens when singer gets off a measure or two, or you believe you should cut the piece short or lengthen it? That’s easy when playing by yourself, but with others, you pretty much just have to follow the score exactly or risk everyone getting totally off. Group playing can hold you accountable to follow the written score precisely, which can sound stilted and unresponsive to the spirit of the music.
But sometimes, in the midst of a wondrous, moving time of worship, the whole group stays together throughout changes and alterations, amazingly sounding in perfect harmony while being flexible enough to react to circumstances. That’s when you know the Holy Spirit is in control, and telling everyone the same thing. And I’m not talking about a musical performance – I’m talking about life.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:2-6