Rat-ta-tat-tat

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:9-19 ESV). When I was in school at Texas A&M, one of the staples of life in the Corps of Cadets was listening to the band march each day. Their precision is renown throughout the world. There were other groups that used precision movement as a part of their ceremony. The Fish Drill Team and the Ross Volunteers were both select groups of cadets that drilled incessantly to reach perfection in each of their movements. They were very successful in doing just that. I am told that any band, choral group, or orchestra maintains such precision with a consistent beat. Especially in the marches, presto movements in overtures, or fanfares, it is the staccato notes that carry the music. Staccato notes are separated and short, each one distinct from the notes around it. These are the “rat-tat-tat-tat” sounds that keep everyone doing precisely what they must do at the correct moment. The apostle’s teaching in our reading today sound like staccato notes. As Paul describes the transformed Christian life, he offers a number of individual imperatives, each one complete in itself and moving forward to the next one. Each command included in today’s passage deserves a meditation all by itself. For example, Let love be genuine: that is, be sincere in your living so that your acts of love do not appear forced or fake. Rejoice in hope: that is, no matter what happens to you, you can always rejoice because when all is said and done, you know that Jesus will turn all things to his ultimate victory and your ultimate blessing. At the beginning of this year, as you meditate on the incredible gift of God’s grace, spend two or three minutes meditating on each individual “staccato notes” in this passage as well. Ask yourself how each one applies to your life right now. Use these times of meditation to secure your walk with Christ in a way that accurately reflects his glory for others to see and understand how marvelous he is through every experience of life.