Love's Symphony

Love plays a melody -

softly and sweetly it fills the room.

He's humming along quietly;

eyes closed -

letting the sound embrace him;

immersing him with perfect harmony.

His fingers flow across the piano;

each note fills the air,

like a perfumed fragrance.

You could almost imagine,

flowers dancing around the room,

filling it with so much colour and life.

Love pauses for a moment.

The silence echoes -

filling spaces

that the symphony just created.

But Love, with eyes still closed, smiles -

lost in the melody still in his mind.

A pair of eyes watches him;

staring intently from behind the door.

How he wishes he could be

just like this confident fellow.

But that was always Fear -

always wishing, but never becoming.

He heard the sound in passing,

and out of curiosity,

Fear peeked in.

He was awed by the melody,

even humming the tune;

but...he would not move.

In his head, wheels are turning.

What if he got caught?

Would he be scolded?

Maybe he shouldn't be here?

Or perhaps he could walk in,

and compliment this fine chap.

But, he simply stays at the door.

Staring at the pianist,

that seems so far away.

Looking, but doing nothing.

Was he capable?

Who knows; he never tried.

Love opens his eyes.

Fear flinches and the draws back.

Love beckons Fear in;

Fear hesitates.

Gradually, he comes in...

cautiously.

Love stands and reassures,

"There's no need to be afraid,

you will be alright."

Fear stares -

standing like he'd run at any moment;

legs shaking.

"Come."

Love takes his hand,

leading him to the piano.

"Just play this note when I tell you."

Love smiles and starts to play,

gesturing for Fear to play each time.

Fear presses the note.

At first, as if the key would break;

then less guarded,

until he simply flows,

becoming a part of the performance

of the sweet melody.

Reflection:

Love's Symphony takes us into a world where we encounter two characters called Love and Fear. Set against the backdrop of music, it tells the tale of these two personalities - one, Fear, who hesitates at first, but gradually learns to release his insecurities and gather the courage to try; while the other, Love, invites and patiently waits, slowly washing away the insecurities and doubt the other carries.

That is love. It is patient and kind, slowly casting fear aside, revealing confidence, faith, and a reassurance that everything will be alright.

Reflecting on this poem, I think on those three words in 1 John 4:8 that tell us that "God is love." He is the embodiment of love, which means that everything God is, love is. A love that cares for us, disciplines us, helps us to grow, and is always there. A love that sent his only Son to die for our sins. A love that went willingly to the cross to lay down his life for us. A love that never stopped loving us.

Sometimes we think we understand love, but when we reflect on the triune God - Love incarnate - we realize we do not fully understand it, because at times it makes no sense, especially when it goes against our natural human instinct.

Love your enemies, pray for those who despitefully use you, do good to them that hate you, or bless the people that curse you.

Why should we?

Yet, we find that this is the very nature of love. It goes against the norm and seeks to teach us to do the same. That is our God. He is not biased. The same rain that falls on the good falls on the bad. The same sun that shines on the good shines on the bad. God does not discriminate, and love does not either. Yet, because of our human nature, we may lean toward bias. Thank the Lord that He is God alone, and that the true essence of love lies in Him, so that we may learn from Him.

PREVIOUS

NEXT