Harmony is not agreement but unity

Romans 15:1-6 (NRSV)

We who are strong ought to put up with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Each of us must please our neighbor for the good purpose of building up the neighbor. For Christ did not please himself; but, as it is written, “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.” For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, so that by steadfastness and by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and encouragement grant you to live in harmony with one another, in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Definition of HARMONY
har·mo·ny noun \ˈhär-mə-nē\
plural har·mo·nies

1. archaic : tuneful sound : melody
2. the combination of simultaneous musical notes in a chord
   1. the structure of music with respect to the composition and progression of chords
   2. the science of the structure, relation, and progression of chords
3. pleasing or congruent arrangement of parts
   1. correspondence, accord
   2. internal calm : tranquillity
4. an interweaving of different accounts into a single narrative
   1. a systematic arrangement of parallel literary passages (as of the Gospels) for the purpose of showing agreement or harmony

We are called to live in harmony. To me that s interesting as I spent a lot of time learning about harmony in my under-graduate and my first master degree studies of music. We looked at what made harmony and what kind of harmonies moved us from one chord to another and would move a piece is music. We looked at the difference in musical style over the years and how music grew and changed and how composers used the tools they had to create new sounds and styles to help give the picture and understanding they were looking for.

But all of us can understand that when we sing or play in harmony, we do not sing or ay the same notes. In fact we are always singing different notes when we are in harmony, and some harmony is even said to be dissonant, or maybe unpleasant to the ear… But it is in harmony, not the same, it moving forward in the same piece for the same reason…

So we are called to live in harmony with each other working together in our unity in Christ spreading His love for all. Not playing or doing the same part but working together. That means we may not always agree, but we can be in harmony…