A Momentary Rest
Most of us are familiar with the four notes, though we might be hard-pressed to name the symphonic work. Here they are: Da-Da-Da-Dah. Recognize them?
The notes open Ludwig van Beethoven’s famous Symphony No. 5 in C Minor, one of the most played pieces in classical music. But did you know that this work actually begins in silence?
In his book, The First Four Notes: Beethoven’s Fifth and Human Imagination, musician and author Matthew Guerrieri notes that Beethoven inserted an eighth rest before the first note.
Beethoven’s Fifth is so familiar to us that we are hard-pressed to recognize the effect this had when the symphony debuted in Vienna’s Theater an der Wien on December 22, 1808.
There was the ambient sound of hushed conversations and shuffled programs as the concert was ready to begin. And as the maestro lifted his baton, that momentary rest served as a sonic buffer in the concert hall. That sound of silence served as a symphonic ear cleaning, setting up the listeners for the music to follow.
Shhh…
We live at a time when there is non-stop noise all around us. When we’re in an elevator or placed on hold, there is background music. When we drive in our cars, we listen to the radio or a podcast. I’ve seen many people actually walk the beach amid the beautiful sound of waves crashing and birds calling with earbuds providing an alternative soundtrack.
Silence is all too often undervalued. Yet Scripture offers a timely word of counsel regarding the importance of such auditory stillness. It’s worth meditating on it one word or phrase at a time.
Be.
Be still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that I am God. (Psalm 46:10)
Stop. Listen.
May I offer a blunt observation? Your life is too loud. It’s non-stop noise. And because it is, it’s difficult to know that God is.
Have you ever considered that we would do well, on a regular basis, to take a cue from Beethoven and have a strategic momentary rest in our lives? An intentional silent pause.
Perhaps at the beginning and end of each day – a time to quiet our hearts, collect our thoughts, count our blessings, offer our thanks, and listen to God.
At the beginning and end of each day – take time to quiet your heart, collect your thoughts, count your blessings, offer your thanks, and listen to God.
How about allowing for a time of silence while enjoying your weekly day of rest? You take one, don’t you? Taking a quiet walk. Getting away to a quiet place. Making room for God to make Himself known and creating space for Him to be the only one speaking.
Here’s another suggestion. What if you would take a two-day silent retreat once a year? No phone. No internet. No television. Just you, your Bible, and your journal. While this might be an opportunity to speak to God in prayer, perhaps the greater value would be found in doing more listening than talking.
Bottom line? If you want to hear the voice of God, silence is key. If you want to sense the presence of God, stillness is essential.
If you want to hear the voice of God, silence is key. If you want to sense the presence of God, stillness is essential.
If we want our lives to be symphonies of God’s grace, perhaps we should follow Beethoven’s lead and begin the music of each day with a momentary rest. It might set us up to play some beautiful music.
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