The Orchestra

I could hear sounds through the trees, hints of music from a distance. The sounds intrigued me so I followed the direction they were coming from. There in the middle of a clearing surrounded by trees was an orchestra playing. The cymbals and brass I had heard from far away but now I could hear a string section and wind instruments playing various parts in unison. I did not want to disturb them so I sat at the edge of the trees soaking in their awesome melody. The conductor swung his baton and pointed now and then at sections of the players. My attention was drawn to the flutes for it was there the beautiful sound first kindled from their shiny instruments. I noticed that the trill was something unusual as never before heard by these ears or in these times. Gradually the unusual sound spread to other sections of the orchestra as they abandoned the lead of the conductor and followed the note of the flutes. The embellishment completely took hold of the entire group as if a riotous joke had taken a grip of them and they were powerless to remain serious. The conductor tapped his baton on the stand repeatedly but it was of no use, they were completely taken over in their mirth. Even I was beginning to chuckle as it spread infectiously. Suddenly and without warning the laughter in the instruments stopped and a hush came over the forest. Every instrument fell silent and descending from the tree tops a mist enveloped the clearing. I could not see what it was and so I moved even closer. What I found inside the mist not an orchestra at all but a group of faithful praying and their voices lifted me up until I comprehended the truth of it. I realised in the mist that the sweetest music in all the earth is the praise of God for His awesome greatness and wonderful achievements. I was overtaken with emotion and openly wept. The leader I had seen walked away through the trees as if disappointed that his performance was not completed.