Finding Harmony

King Charles’ film ‘Finding Harmony: A King’s Vision’ was launched last night in Windsor Castle. King Charles and Queen Camilla were joined by royalty and celebrities…

In ‘Finding Harmony’ the King reflects on the decline of nature worldwide, organic farming, biodiversity loss, deforestation and climate change, saying: “…we are actually nature ourselves, we are a part of it, not apart from it…’

The film discusses harmony between humanity, nature and the environment, and the King’s philosophy of “harmony”, that brings together environmentalism, religion, architecture, art and design.

I’m reading Exodus. With God’s help Moses is designing and making the tabernacle, a kind of mobile temple to take with them on their travels.

Bezalel is introduced, described as filled with God-given ‘skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts – to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood, and to engage in all kinds of craftsmanship.’

Bezalel – and his mate Oholiab – are skilled and gifted in creating artistic and constructional harmony.

Last night, whilst the King was at Windsor watching his film, six of us practiced the hymns and songs that are planned to be sung in church on Sunday. There were lyrics, melody, rhythm – and harmony.

The keyboard played the tune and accompaniment, the bass provided a root for the harmony, guitars followed chord patterns that filled out the harmonies, the flute provided a harmonious countermelody, vocalists sung both melody and harmony lines.

We attempted to find musical harmony.

And harmony between people? It’s not about demanding that all think the same, believe the same, play the same tune. Harmony is about fitting together, recognising, accepting, valuing, perhaps even celebrating, our differences.

St Paul wrote: ‘…clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another…And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.’

Such clothes must be put on carefully, intentionally, if we’re to find harmony with each other.