When the Music Stops
Embarking on another season of Lent reminds me of God’s invitation to a slower pace; even a time of rest. Yet, as at other times when the music of my life stops, a certain restlessness moves in. As if the rest somehow is misplaced.
Invitations to rest from the daily routines surface much like musical rests, full of purpose, but by no means indicate the song is over.
Learning the execution of a musical rest presents as much challenge as learning the art of rest in our own lives.
Comparing notes with a former music teacher, provided a good laugh, while at the same time revealing our inability as a society to embrace times of stillness. She commented mastering the musical rest within a piece of music took her students longer than mastering the notes themselves.
Upon approaching or executing a musical rest, students routinely became anxious and often counted the beats of the rest incorrectly, coming back into their piece too soon. While others sat distracted thinking the piece had ended.
Resonating too close to home for me, I marveled at my own impetuosity when faced with a pause in my life. How many times had I ended my rest too soon? Or worse, fell into foolishly thinking that particular segment had come to an end.
When the music stops during a musical rest, though no notes are played, the rest commands an important role in the complex whole of the piece. So, too, seasons of rest punctuate the melody of our life.
Wisely placing pauses such as illness, disappointed plans, or failed efforts, God creates intentional times for rest. But He also allows other times of stillness, one of which is the forty days of Lent.
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.”
Lent requires a slower, more reflective pace. Times of literal and spiritual stillness, allowing us to recalibrate and deeply repent. These disciplines simply do not happen in a hurry or without intentional stops.
Though no stranger to the concept or the experience of Lent, this morning the old restlessness plagued my quiet time, while God beckoned a lingering, thoughtful posture. Like those music students, I became anxious, and ended the rest before the rest felt complete.
Perhaps the greatest invitation of rest comes from Jesus in Matthew 11:28-30:
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
In meditating upon this well-known verse, I see a beautifully designed musical rest for the melody of my life especially during Lent.
Embarking on Lent, weary and burdened not only with life at times, but sin, we come afresh to God in contemplative prayer and reflection leading to deep repentance.
As we reflect upon the greatest sacrifice ever made for our redemption through Christ, we draw nearer to Him. The “yoke” of His teachings and life provide rest for our souls, not punishment or burdensome legalism.
Jesus bore the full punishment required by God’s law, gifting us with a redemption we in no wise deserve, yet freely receive.
Too often in our lives, when the music stops, we grieve and lament our silenced voices in the Creator’s song. But how does a skilled musician play the musical rest? With unwavering precision, he counts the beats and plays the next note in brilliant confidence, as if no pause ever existed.
The music of our lives is written by God with divine purpose. We must not become discouraged or hasty in changing the measure of rest, but rather trust God in the stillness of it.
During Lent, if we will embrace the rest, through contemplative stillness, allowing the work of repentance to come to fruition, we will find greater intimacy and beauty in the melody of our lives entwined in Christ.
How will you embrace Lenten rest?
If you enjoyed reading this post, there’s more! Sign up for my monthly newsletters; a little slice of serenity delivered right to your inbox! As my “Thank-you” you will receive my FREE “Hope in Hard Times Guide” for signing up!
