There is no Music in a “Rest”

I am so blessed to be a part of an awesome Church with a huge music ministry. I sing in the choir at Church. At home music is a huge part of my life as well. I love to sing in the choir or ensemble or as a soloist. I love how both of my children are blessed musically as well. I love when my daughter plays the piano (pictured above). During choir rehearsals I love to receive a brand new piece of music that has yet to be learned. I love watching it become a beautiful expression of harmony within all sections of the choir that make up the whole piece of music. It fascinates me to be able to create something beautiful out of all the work and practice.

Psalms 96:1 “Sing to the Lord a new song…”

Already this week I am having to memorize 12 pieces that our choir is doing for Easter, titled “Savior.” I constantly hear our choir director say, “Folks, I can not let you get away with singing through a rest. Go back and do it correctly…” He is right. There is no music in a “REST.”

Psalms 29:2 “Give unto the Lord the glory due unto His name. Worship the Lord and the beauty of Holiness.”

In our whole life of melody the music is broken off here and there by “RESTS” and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune. God is gracious and sends us a timed force leisure. It may be in sickness, job loss, disappointed plans, chronic illness, divorce, or finances. These things in day to day life make sudden pause in the hymns of our lives and we lament that our voices must be silent and our part missing in the music, which goes up to the ears of our Heavenly Father.

“Be still and know that I am God.”

How does the musician read the rests? See him beat the time for us in unvarying counts and the count of the next note true and steady as if no breaking point had ever occurred.

Not without beautiful design does God write the music of our lives. Yes, it is up to us to read the music and learn the tune that is laid out before us. We should not become dismayed at the rests for they are a part of the music. They are not to be slurred over or omitted. Not to destroy the music. Not to change the key notes. If we look up, God himself will beat the time for us. With our eyes on him, we shall strike the next notes of life full and clear as we learn. If we sadly say to ourselves, “There is no music in a rest.” I remind myself there is the making of the music in a rest. The making of music is a slow and sometimes difficult process. How patiently God waits for us to learn it and perfect it. How beautiful the piece is when it we work it and perfect it.

Father, Thank you for allowing us to “Rest” in the assurance you have us covered in your will for each of our lives, no matter the trials we face. Thank you for letting us “Rest” in the arms of Jesus.

3 Responses to There is no Music in a “Rest”
  1. Janice (5 Minutes for Mom)
    February 5, 2007 | 12:46 am

    What a wonderful analogy Paulette! Thank you for that.

    Oh – how I wish God had granted me the gift of music. Sadly, it is not my gifting – but I sure do enjoy it in others. 🙂

  2. Elisa
    February 5, 2007 | 8:10 am

    Thank you, Paulette. I needed to hear this today. I am sick for the third time in the past three months. Headache, sinus pressure, low grade fever, chills. Three months and three times. I am miserable and frustrated and want it to stop. But I suspect God is saying: REST my child. REST. I am plowing full steam ahead every other moment. I hear Him calling me to “be still…”, my theme for the last two years, and I am telling Him, “But isn’t that season over!” It must not be.

    Thanks for kicking me in the pants and sending me back to Jesus today. I think He and I will need to talk later…all about this.

    Blessings,
    Elisa

  3. Kathy
    February 5, 2007 | 9:55 am

    Beautifully said Paulette. I spent the weekend in bed or on the couch sick. Even my voice needed a rest! It was a blessing to be cared for and nurtured by my kids who cooked for me and kept up on the laundry and dishes, a well as my husband who ventured into the grocery store for me.