At the bottom of many of his
musical manuscripts, the great organist and composer Johann Sebastian Bach often
wrote the letters "INDNJC." Those letters stood for "In Nomine Domini Nostri
Jesu Christi" -- in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ. These letters
did not appear on Bach's manuscripts by accident or without purpose. Johann
Sebastian Bach put those letters there for a reason. Considered a genius in the
field of music, Bach recognized the one true Genius. Known for his extraordinary
talent, Bach realized the source of all human talent. Praised for his musical
gifts, Bach was aware of the primary giver of all gifts. He affirmed with the
New Testament writer James that "every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above." For these reasons, at the bottom of his manuscripts he wrote
INDNJC.
Most of us will never
compose a musical manuscript, let alone one of the caliber of a Bach
composition. Yet, each day of our lives, we do compose "living" manuscripts of
sorts. Each day we have opportunities to use God-given time, talents, skills,
and gifts as we write the notes which collectively compose the songs that others
"hear" when they listen to our lives. Each day that we live, we are effectively making music with
our lives -- composing and performing the measures, verses, and stanzas which
combine to form a "living symphony" of who we are and what we are
about.
Colossians 3:12-17 is one of several scriptural passages which reminds us of the importance
of praising God through music. I especially like verse 16 which declares: "Let
the word of Christ dwell in you richly -- and sing psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to
God." Here is biblical
evidence that from the very early days the church was a singing church, singing
hymns and songs of praise and thanksgiving to God with their voices. Thanking
God with their singing and voices was not the only way members of the early
church were instructed to worship and praise God, but they were also taught to
worship and praise God with the entirety of their lives. The next verse
(Colossians 3:17)
proclaims: "And whatever you do -- in word or deed -- do everything in the name
of the Lord Jesus -- giving thanks to God the Father through
Him."
Whatever you do, wherever you are,
remember that you are composing a "life manuscript," a living symphony of
sorts. Remember that as we compose each note and play or sing each verse our
Lord calls upon us to do it INDNJC. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we
are to make music with our lives. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we are
to live and give thanks. All
of us are called upon by God to make the kind of music with our lives that will
make a difference in our world.
In Jesus our Lord.
Brown
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