“Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “Three Blind Mice” and “Frere Jacques” are examples of a canon.
There were times when our high school choir sang these tortuous tunes in public. Our director told us people loved singing in the round. I wanted to meet those people. Canon themes belong in an orchestra. Words siphon our attention from interpretation by instrumentation.
Canon themes appear in a composition as introduced by different instruments. The theme may be played by strings, woodwinds or perhaps brass. A canon is intricate in design but rewards listeners with a sense of familiarity by way of a melodic passage.
In a spiritual sense, the word canon would apply to the collection of books inspired by God. Not surprisingly, the Bible is sprinkled with recurring themes of divine inspiration. We begin to notice themes or principles as we study the Word. Soon, the entrance of a theme provides comforting direction for life.
God’s Word is meant to impact every section of our personal orchestra. Themes play through our church, home, relationships and work. God’s themes are music to the hearer.
His canon is not meant to be isolated. God’s clear theme of love is not meant for only one area of our lives. It must pervade the orchestra. God is love.
There is no music without love.
We just row our boats.
