Facing The Music

"That to Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall confess."
—Isaiah 45:23


The term "face the music" originated long ago in Japan with the Imperial Orchestra. It was very prestigious to belong to this particular orchestra, and there was a certain man who desperately wanted to join. He wanted to play for the emperor, but had no musical talent. This man happened to be very wealthy, so he offered the conductor a large amount of money if he would allow him to join the prominent orchestra.

The conductor accepted the man's offer and gave him a flute. He told him that when the orchestra played, he was to simply hold the flute to his lips and move his fingers so he would convince people that he was playing. So the man became a member of the Imperial Orchestra. He pretended to play his flute, everyone thought he was a great musician, and his dream of performing before the emperor had been fulfilled.

But one day, a new conductor took over. He wanted to find out how good the musicians were, so he announced he would be auditioning every musician in the Imperial Orchestra. The man was terrified, because he could not play a single note. His pretending had caught up with him, and he was forced to admit he was a fake. He couldn't "face the music."

A day will come when we will stand before God himself. And though certain people may have done a brilliant job of fooling other people, they will have to face the music. If they are not the real thing, it will show.
It’s one thing to fake it at playing the flute and quite another to fake your relationship with Jesus Christ. The great news is that Jesus already knows your life’s condition. To some that may not be good news, but that’s because of your perception of Jesus. He is not this mean guy in the sky ready to bring wrath upon you the first time you do something wrong. He’s not out to get you. In fact, the Bible says He loves you.
John 3:16-17 says this: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”
Jesus purpose is not to condemn you. His purpose is to liberate you!
A good dad loves his kids regardless of what they have done. He may not approve of their wrongdoings and even has warned them about it previously, but a father forgives the children and receives them into his arms with love.
Jesus wants you to be real with Him. What bondage it is to try and keep up a false identity. Holding up a mask and performing is tough work. Be upfront. Trust me, He’ll still love you. Ask God to forgive you if you’ve been faking it. Be real with Him. You may say, “But if He really knew what was going on in my life or what I’ve done…” The irony is that we try and hide it, but He already knows and still desires a relationship with you.
Jesus was real with you and I when he gave all His live on the cross. He didn’t hide or fake anything. He willingly gave it all despite the humiliation or shame He received.
What about you? How will you play? Perhaps you think you can fool other people, and maybe you can. But you cannot fool God. Be real with God and watch your life flourish.