A famous architect made the statement, "God is in the details." He was, of course, expressing the idea that the little choices were the things that made great art and therefore it was art that he worshipped. Interestingly, this thought is contrary to the popular notion that "the devil is in the details": that the details will drive you nuts! As Christians we reject the life of aestheticism. We have a much higher goal than art for art’s sake alone. But perhaps also true is the idea that details matter. Especially spiritual details. Especially to God. The more I think about that phrase "God is in the details" the more I see spiritual truth in it, however unwittingly expressed.

It is true that our God is a God of small things. Scripture says that He notices when a sparrow falls (Matthew 10:29) and is concerned about the lilies of the field (Matthew 6:28). Our Lord was concerned with paying taxes, with a boy’s small lunch, with a poorly planned wedding feast. After all, He did turn the water into wine! He instructed us by using a widow’s mite, a blind beggar, a vine and branches. Scripture records each instrument used to play the music that cued the three Hebrew children to worship a false god. And Christ’s genealogy is given in incredible detail.

We are created in the image of God, and we are designed to appreciate details. For instance, the opinions of the congregation about the church choir are largely formed on the basis of the choir’s execution of the details: ending consonants, volume changes, uniform vowel sounds. Though most of our congregation are not choral adjudicators, they recognize (perhaps without realizing it) the dexterity of the choir as it maneuvers through an arrangement. The comments are much more general: "The choir is good" or "I like it when they sing loud." But the overall impression is a result of the attention to details.

One of the things I appreciate about Tri-City is that the folks here don’t despise or ignore the spiritual details. Many ministries I know of have an "I’m OK; you’re OK; we’re all OK" attitude. Rather than searching the scriptures and comparing their lives to Godliness, they assume that if they’re saved that’s good enough. And don’t you DARE mention one of those pesky details! But here at Tri-City there is an honest attempt to exhort one another to godliness (Hebrews 3:13). Uncomfortable? Perhaps. Beneficial? You bet!

Perhaps, after all, God IS in the details. Perhaps we know Him by comparing ourselves to Him even in the little things. Especially in the little things! Perhaps by not sweeping seemingly minor inconsistencies under the rug, we honor our God and rightly reflect Him to the world.

David Stertzbach II, B.A.
Music Pastor