Casavant Brothers, located in Saint-Hyacinthe, Que., is one of the oldest pipe organ manufactures in Canada. They have been in operation since 1879 and their process has changed very little since the beginning.
Every pipe organ is unique and built for the specific place that it will occupy. Therefore, before anything else happens, the company sends a representative to look at the building, measure the room and examine the building materials.
That person then takes measurements, tests the acoustics and asks questions about the size of the audience and the type of music that will be played so the organ can be tuned to exact specifications.
When the builder returns to the factory, he creates and shapes each pipe by hand. Then he tests the pipe’s sound quality, making minor changes until it sounds good on its own. That pipe is then grouped with others and more adjustments are made to make sure the sound is exactly as the maker wants it.
Finally, after the cabinet and keyboards are assembled, the entire instrument is installed and then tested once more to ensure that it sounds correct in the room. It is a labour intensive process that cannot be mechanized or turned over to mass production. Every pipe organ is a unique creation.
As I watched the documentary about this process, I could not help but see the spiritual parallels. Scripture tells us that we were created by God Himself and that we are uniquely shaped and formed in his image. As David reflects on this truth, he writes, “You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13-14).
Later, Jesus assures us that God is still watching over and caring for us. “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink … Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 7:25-26).
In fact, Jesus says that God is so near and knows us so well that, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7).
It may feel like life is out of control and that we have no help, but I do not believe that is true. I believe that a loving God has created, crafted and cared for us in the past and that he will continue to do so in the future.
We are in his hands.
