Is there anything more beautiful than harmony? In music, “harmony” is defined as “the combination of different musical notes played or sung at the same time to produce a pleasing sound.” In general, “harmony” is defined as “a pleasing combination or arrangement of different things.”
I remember my high school chorus teacher talking to the class about producing harmony. She said something that has stuck with me, which not only applies to creating harmony in singing but to creating harmony in life. She told us that each singer has equal responsibility for the harmony of the group. Of course, the natural thought to have when hearing that is that my focus must be on making sure that I myself am singing the right note, with the right dynamic, in the right tempo, etc. Sure enough, for harmony to be created, I myself must sing my part correctly. But, that was not what my chorus teacher emphasized to us that day.
Being in harmony is not only or even mostly about making sure that I nail my part. My chorus teacher, who was very capable and accomplished in her field, told us that creating harmony is as much about listening as it is about singing. At first, that didn’t make sense. When I’m singing, I’ve got to be concerned about my singing. How can I possibly listen (and why would I) to other people singing, when I’ve got to concentrate on my part? But, you see, harmony is not about being in harmony with yourself. Harmony is about being in harmony with others. A chorus is not a soloist but a chorus. For one singer to be in harmony with the others, that singer must learn to listen to the other singers, and not just those singing the same part, but listening to those singing all of the other parts.
The lesson in our chorus class that day has helped me to be a better singer (not in quality of voice but in awareness of all singers). But, even more than that limited application, the lesson in our chorus class that day has helped me to be a better person. In order for harmony to exist in relationships, it is not always about what I’m doing and making sure that I’m nailing my part as perfect as I can. True harmony will only be produced when I learn to listen to the others around me and hear their parts.
In marriage, we need to learn to listen to each other for true harmony to exist. In the church, we need to learn to listen to each other for true harmony to thrive. In our personal relationships, we need to learn to listen to each other for true harmony to grow.
Harmony is so beautiful when you hear it (and see it)! Are you paying attention to the other parts around you? Harmony among brethren truly is “good and pleasant” (Ps. 133:1).