Ever listen to an orchestra warming up before the conductor arrives? It sounds horrible! I was reminded of this the other night watching my niece play in her college woodwind ensemble. For those of you who recall this reference from The Andy Griffith Show, it sounds a lot like the “Mayberry Band” goin’ to Raleigh. Everybody doing their own thing, each one playing whatever sound helps them to get warmed up or whatever it is they do and no one is paying the slightest bit of attention to anyone else. But all of a sudden, this one dude with a clarinet walks out on the stage and everybody gets quiet. He plays a single note, which tells the musicians (and the audience) that it’s time to get down to business, get yourself in tune, ‘cuz here comes the conductor.

Of course, when the conductor walks on stage, all of a sudden, all that prior dissonance suddenly transforms into a beautiful piece of music. Why? Because all of the musicians surrendered their right to do their own thing and yielded to the conductor, knowing that he could take them much further than they could on their own.

It is much the same with our finances. We can do our own thing, and not pay attention to anyone or anything around us and most of us who are reading this blog would probably survive. But wouldn’t it be far greater to surrender our financial lives to the Great Conductor, knowing that it was He who gave us what we have in the first place and that He can take us further than we can ever get on our own?

Psalm 49:16-20 (NIV) gives us good insight:

16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
when the splendor of their houses increases;
17 for they will take nothing with them when they die,
their splendor will not descend with them.
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
and people praise you when you prosper—
19 they will join those who have gone before them,
who will never again see the light of life.
20 People who have wealth but lack understanding
are like the beasts that perish.

It’s easy to get off track – I know this week I did some of what is says not to do in verse 16.

Steve Green, sang a song several years ago that is one of my favorites called “Symphony of Praise” (you can do a Bing search for it) that portrays God as the Great Conductor. Friends, don’t wait until the note sounds – now is the time to gain understanding and put our finances in His hands to conduct!