Bits for Sunday, January 24, 2010

This year, for my daily devotions, I’m reading the updated edition of Streams in the Desert. Six or seven years ago, I read the original version in all of its adviceth givingeth verbiage for thee. And I really loved the book. But this year I thought I’d try the 2010 version (okay, technically 1997, but it still works). And I’m loving the message of the book all over again.

I love sitting down to it each night and wondering how it’s going to be so perfect for my day, because that never fails to happen. You know God’s hand is in a book when it can do that…and it doesn’t just do it to me. It’s happening to others reading the same words from their bedrooms late at night too.

Friday night’s reading was no exception. Based on Matthew 14:13, where Jesus withdraws to pray alone, the book says, “There is no music during a musical rest, but the rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of our life, the music is separated here and there by rests…God sends us times of forced leisure, by allowing sickness, disappointed plans, and frustrated efforts. He brings a sudden pause in the choral hymn of our lives, and we lament that our voices must be silent.”

Boy isn’t that the truth.

“Yet how does a musician read the rest? He counts the break with unwavering precision and plays his next note with confidence, as if no pause were ever there. God does not write the music of our lives without a plan. Our part is to learn the tune and not be discouraged during the rests.”

I’m not a good rester girl. I’m all about marking things off the list and making progress and pushing onward and forward. I’m the multi-tasker that can’t just sit and watch a movie without also scrapping or making cards while watching. I can’t sit and talk on the phone…I must cook or clean while I talk. Resting makes me nervous. I think of all the things that could be done and find myself moving to do them.

But John Ruskin, who wrote that bit of wisdom in Streams in the Desert, has a valid point. The rests count. And sometimes the rests make the parts that follow all the better.

You all know of my undying love for all (okay almost all) Gaither music. I love the power songs the best. Good workout music. (If only I had an ipod.) One of the best power songs is Let Freedom Ring. It might be one of the best because David really shines in that one. Or it might just be a great song. But toward the end, the song marches along at a great pace and then abruptly stops for not just a rest…but for a significant rest. And then the drums break through (and I’m all about good percussion) with a huge downbeat and the song pushes right ahead – made even better by that rest. I have listened to that song approximately 500 times and still get goose bumps in that very spot. Every time.

Take away the rest from Let Freedom Ring and you’ve ruined the song.

And I have a feeling the same could be said of life.