F (bass) Clef

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see."

-- Hebrews 11:1, NIV

Sitting on a chair at the airport while waiting to board the flight taking me home to Oklahoma, I found myself drawn to my computer to jot down a few thoughts. My mind raced back to moons ago when I flew into the Los Angeles airport for the first time. It was an unprecedented sight for a bewildered Haitian young man to behold -- the Port-au-Prince airport of the 1990s was a mere step above a modest bus stop.

I remember being overwhelmed by the mountain of luggage that caught my eye upon arriving at the baggage claim area. Here I was with two suitcases containing everything I owned in my life (Period!) and yet it was clear that, though many of my fellow passengers carried much more than I did on that flight, they had even more belongings waiting for them at home.

At that moment, I felt poor. 

Really poor.

Then, there was a switch in my spirit. I sensed the light of clarity fraying its way through the fogginess of my mind. All of a sudden I saw that, alongside the miniscule luggage I brought from Haiti, I carried within a huge suitcase . . .

. . . A great vision.

I looked inside my heart and could see in my mind's eye how this vision might come to life. I could imagine how, through it, countless individuals may one day come to find restoration in God.

From all things human, the consensus is that such a feat can only be accomplished in my dream. However, I have a God who defies human logic; nothing He begins can be thwarted. In fact, the only explanation I have for the hope I have in the future is the faith that God has deposited in me.

Pondering the word "faith" brings my mind to a musical symbol—the F (bass) clef. In music, the bass clef suggests the sounding of lower notes whose purpose is to establish a sense of stability and context to the music as a whole. When looking at the F clef as a young musician, I often wondered why two dots are always placed on either side of the F line. 

Though their real purpose eludes me, I remember thinking when I first learned about the F clef that the dots were being used as a mnemonic device; it was as if the music masters were saying to me, "Hello there, you simpleton! The line between the two dots is called bass F." 

That was all I needed to know . . . then.

Now, years later, I give but a glance at the symbol; yet, readily, I identify the bass clef for what it is.

Spiritually speaking, however, there is so much more than meets the eye. I see the fourth line of the bass staff representing faith and the two dots surrounding it as assurance and right perspective. I say that because of the truth of Hebrews 11:1 quoted above.

What, then, or who is my hope?

Christ is. He is the hope of glory (Col. 1:27).

What is invisible in present circumstances to the human eye?

God's promise is. Indeed, His promise of complete restoration—fulfillment and satisfaction—still begs to come to fruition.

As I reflect on those two dots, I see that I can have assurance in the character of God; that causes my perspective to change from stubbornness to obedience.

Firstly, focusing on God’s character, I come to grasp that understanding God’s character leads me to develop or, rather, to inherit spiritual insight that reveals the nature of my faith. As a child, I learned the little chorus My God Is So Big, which speaks of the endless strength, power, or might of the Creator.

My God is so big,

So strong and so mighty

There’s nothing my God cannot do.

Another song that has ministered o my heart is the old spiritual My God Is So High:

My God is so high

You can’t get over Him

He’s so low

You can’t get under Him

He’s so wide

You can’t get around Him

You must come in, by, and through the Lamb

Secondly, meditating on the concept of right perspective, I become cognizant of the numerous promises God has revealed in His Word. It is this gracious perspective that inspires and convicts a naturally rebellious heart to choose the path of obedience, and to set out to live based on God’s promises as opposed to what current circumstances dictate. Such an attitude is a result of faith. Therefore, when tempted to see differences that divide people in this world, I am invited to dare to believe that faith knits individuals from diverse backgrounds into the family of God (the faith that unites us, Gen. 12:1-3). When tempted to succumb to the pressures of life, I am beckoned to choose fortitude (the faith that strengthens, Heb. 13:7). When torn over feelings and thoughts of self-deprecation because of sins I have committed, I am graciously summoned to remember God’s forgiveness and sanctification (the faith that purifies, 1 Jn. 1:9 and 1 Pe. 1:22). When I am on the verge of being swayed into the path of false ideologies, I am bidden to focus on my rock-solid foundation (the faith that secures, Heb. 13:8).

Faith is thus important. Furthermore, I come to understand that faith without actions is truly dead. Choosing life means taking specific steps that inspire, encourage, validate, and foster an intimate and gospel-centered environment, as found in Hebrews 12:1-2:

a)   Renouncing sin and everything that entangles

b)   Running the race of faith with perseverance

c)   Relying on Christ to be my sole vision

Lord Jesus, I thank You for depositing a precious faith inside of me, unworthy and undeserving recipient though I am. Clothe me with Your character and right perspective so that I can have the full and blessed assurance that You are my Lord, my God, my Vision. Help me then to walk each and every step by faith in order to remain steadfast in You, the author and perfecter of my faith. Amen!