Appoggiatura

 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.  He considered abuse suffered for the Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he looked to the reward. 

Hebrews 11:24-26

Appoggiatura is a musical device that introduces a musical note that clashes with a melody.  Psychologists have found that this type of music creates tension in the listener.  When the notes return to the melody, the tension resolves and the listener feels good.  Chills often are felt by a listener when there is a series of appoggiaturas that generate a cycle of tension and release.  Scientists have actually documented that exposure to this effect releases dopamine in the pleasure and reward centers of the brain akin to the effects of food, sex and drugs.  This causes one to "feel good" and to repeat the behavior. 

Faith and music have a lot in common.  Why would people of faith choose to share "ill-treatment" with the people of God? A look back at the life of Moses is one of those faith appoggiaturas.  He choose abuse over pleasure.  Why?  He sought the "greater wealth" for his reward in Christ.  

There is a counterfeit form of Christianity today that is rampant in our society.  It is a "cheap" form of Christianity that costs one nothing.  It offends nobody.  It requires no sacrifice.  And, it is worth nothing.  It is fruitless and cloaked in self-righteousness.  It can always be detected by the demands of the those who say "serve us"; as opposed to Biblical New Testament faith that focuses on "service" to others.  

From the world's point of view the way of the cross makes no sense.  Why would anyone choose to suffer?  But, from a faith perspective, one cannot have authentic faith without the willingness to pick up one's cross daily.  God's true people are a despised little flock.  True faith brings reproach and scorn from the world.  A servant of the Most High will always been seen as an enthusiast and a fool by many.  But, if there is no cross there can be no crown.

Moses left the ease and comfort of Pharaoh's court and openly took part with the despised children of Israel.  His road included pain, poverty, anxiety, stress and even death.  And yet he did this with his eyes wide open.  Faith gives us the ability to resolve the tensions of this paradox.  Helping someone else is a prescription for making one "feel better".  In fact, when one experiences "true religion" as defined by James in 1:27:

Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. 

This motivates one to want to "do it again".  Lament and joy are intertwined in the faith perspective as appoggiatura.  We know it when we hear it because it "resonates" in the soul of a believer by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Those who are devoid of the Spirit cannot "hear" or "see" the kingdom.  The litmus test of fellowship is simply one of love.  John said it best in I John 4: 20:

 If any one says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.