As I was researching St. Francis’s Peace Prayer songs last week, I rejected any that had “channel” instead of “instrument” in the lyrics. Instrument just seemed more authentic. Strange, then, that the “channel” tunes are the ones that running through my head. I wondered about those two words.
A channel is a passageway, a means of access for a thing, a communication, or an idea.
An instrument can be any kind of tool or thing used to get something done, especially one used for delicate or precision work.
So, “A channel of Your peace,” or “An instrument of Your peace”? Maybe a channel cooperates more passively. There are certainly times when I have to step back and let God be God.
An instrument might cooperate actively. Those are the times I’m fully responsive and obedient, stepping out in faith.
So, I can be either, or both. Because God’s power in and through me doesn’t require my active cooperation and effort, just my availability. Like a channel … or an instrument. Neither has agency on its own. Both wait for the Hand of the Master.
And if I want to be used, so do I.
***
But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done,
he has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go
he uses us to tell others about the Lord
and to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Living Bible