READ: PHILIPPIANS 1:3-11

Imagine you pick up a violin and attempt to play it for the very first time. You tuck it under your chin, pick up your bow, and draw it gently across the strings. Would you expect to hear lovely music? Of course not! You’d probably get some screeches and sour notes. But if you took time to learn and practice, eventually your playing would improve.

In the same way, we can have sour notes in our lives too—habits and attitudes that are out of tune with who we are as God’s children. But if we confess our wrongs to Jesus, He forgives us and helps us play a new song. When we put our trust in Jesus to save us, He changes us and gives us the Holy Spirit, who works in us so others can hear the beautiful song of God’s love and saving power in our lives. It takes time to learn how to play the music God calls us to. But, although we’ll still struggle with sin, Philippians 1:6 says God has promised to continue working in us until the day Jesus returns and gets rid of sin forever.

And, when we hear sour notes from our fellow Christians, it’s easier to be patient with each other when we remember our own struggles. Because the truth is, we all do sinful things every day. We all need God’s help and forgiveness. And God is so very patient with us. He delights in helping us learn how to play His music instead of our own noisy scrawls.

While it can be discouraging when we hear sour notes in our lives, let’s not forget that God is still working in us. He’s patiently teaching us to turn away from sin and show His love to others, and He won’t ever give up on us. Whenever we sin, we can turn to Jesus, confess our sin, and rest in His sure forgiveness. Then trust Him to help us share His sweet song of salvation with those around us. • A. W. Smith

• Because Jesus died for us and rose again, we can know God, the one who created music. Take a moment to look back on your life. What sour notes has Jesus worked to transform? Where do you notice His beautiful music breaking through in your life? Consider spending some time thanking God for this!

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6 (NLT)