Psalm 139:1-6 O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.

People have tried to determine the purpose and the meaning for their lives ever since God created Adam and Eve. Obviously this has produced an endless collection of assumptions. Unfortunately, many people are never able to find a purpose or a meaning for their life at all; regardless of how hard they search to find an answer. I believe that there are several reasons why the purpose and the meaning for our lives are so difficult to understand. The first reason is that sin separates people from God. If we do not know God, we will never be able to comprehend our purpose and our meaning for being here. Another reason occurs because people try to find their purpose and their meaning in life by accomplishing various things in this world for their own honor and glory. Our Maker has created us so that He can receive the honor and the glory. Seeking honor and glory for ourselves will never accomplish the purpose and the meaning for our lives that our Maker intended for us when He created the world. Some individuals assume that there has never been a specific purpose or a meaning for their lives at all. They exist from one day to another without any idea of the incredible opportunities that God has waiting for them if they would only commit their lives unto Him.

From my perspective as a musician, searching for the purpose and the meaning for our lives is similar to analyzing a musical score in order to understand the various elements of music that are hidden within the composition; such as the form and the tonal center. The passage of scripture at the beginning of this chapter indicates that the Composer has examined His own Music so that He can know everything about us. If we want to know the purpose and the meaning for our own lives, we will need to spend time examining and serving Him.

Many people enjoy music but they never take the time to learn about the intricate details that hold the compositions together. If we really want to understand a piece of music, it is essential to analyze everything about it. I like to begin by finding information about the composer. I also want to know why the composition was written. After that, I examine all of the details that are found within the music. Most people just “hear” music. If we really want to appreciate it, we will need to examine everything about it and “listen” to it over and over again.

One of the most important elements in music is called form. It is the way in which a composition is designed. Individual music notes are united together with other notes, over a period of time, so that a section of music can be created. The length of a section will vary according to the desires of the composer. A short piece of music may only have one section. Composers can also combine the sections together in many different ways. Some composers will immediately repeat a section or return to that section after other sections of music have been presented. The structure of the sections is called the form. There are many different forms in music but almost all music has a designed structure.

Another important element in music is the tonal center. A music composition usually has only one tone that is more important than all of the others. This tone is called the tonal center. All of the notes in music move in many different directions for a common purpose; while maintaining their strong relationship to the one tone that holds the entire composition together.

God needs to be the tonal center in our lives. Everything that we do must be related to Him. If music does not have a tonal center, every note would exist without a relationship to the rest of the music. Without form or a tonal center, music would move without any significant purpose or meaning. Without God, it would be impossible for anyone to ever grasp the purpose and the meaning for their life.

God's Cycle of Music attempts to explain the form and the tonal center that exists in His entire creation. It provides a balance and a direction for our lives. It lets us know where we have been, where were are, and where we are going. God has a specific purpose for creating each and every one of us. Now it is my prayer that God's Cycle of Music will have a "spiritual" impact on your life so that you can have a clearer understanding of what God intends for you to do while you are living here on Earth and that you can experience the blessings of living in the presence of the Composer forever.