May 10, 2007

[Rev. Doc]

Facing The Music

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,"
Hebrews 9:27

Many years ago a man wanted to play in the Imperial Orchestra, but he couldn’t play a note. His musical ability was non-existent. However, he was a person of great wealth and influence, so he demanded to join. His hope was that one day he would be able to play in front of the king himself. The conductor agreed, after much persuading, and let him sit in the second row of the orchestra. The man was given a flute to play. Although the man knew nothing about music, he would raise the flute, pucker his lips, and move his fingers, but he never made a sound. Some knew of this deception, but in the large sound of the entire orchestra the plan seemed to work. This scam went on for two years. It was then that a new conductor came to direct the Imperial Orchestra. The new conductor told them that he would hold auditions to see how well each of the players could play. He warned that his standards were high, and if they could not meet his standards then they were going to be out. As you might imagine, this terrified the fake flute player. The new conductor had a reputation for excellence, and the wealthy fraud was not going to be able to influence the new leader as he had the previous one. The private audition was set. It was cancelled as the false flutist feigned sickness. The audition was rescheduled and the same sickness saved him again. Finally, after faking sick twice, the man had to face the music, and he did not know what to do. He was immediately removed from the Imperial Orchestra. That story is where we get the expression “face the musicâ€