I played the violin in orchestras from 6th grade through high school. My junior high orchestra’s teacher’s name was Mrs. Johnston. As most conductors do, she taught us and expected us to watch her closely as we played. During most any piece of music, there was usually an important rest. Mrs. Johnston would emphasize the importance of these rests and we would practice them frequently. During those musical rests, we were supposed to be still, quiet, and have our eyes on her so we could be ready to follow her conducting to come back into the piece. Sometimes there was a little squeak and other times a lingering note, and any of these moments would cause Mrs. Johnston’s eyebrows to raise and her eyes to get big in a glare towards the direction of the unwelcomed sound. It was a moment to be afraid, and to be thankful if you were not the person in direct view of her glare. But we learned that she wanted us to understand that those rests were important to the music. Furthermore, the music was made more complete by the rests.
Rest alone doesn’t do anything. When you only have a rest, you don’t have music. There are many things that you do – work, school, family relationships, hobbies, friendships, social events, church activities – many of which you are committed to and passionate about. These are all good things. God has created us to work and serve. But these things can be better and more powerful when you insert a rest. During the creation story, we know about all the work that God did and the beauty and goodness of his creation. Then on the 7th day, God rested. He may not have needed the rest like our physical bodies need rest, but he chose to pause to enjoy his creation. We have been given an example to live by through God’s intentional act of rest. It’s important that we don’t ignore the times needed to rest.
Can we apply these truths to our lives as well? If you are rushing through the music of your life, don’t forget to take a moment to pause and be still, and to look up to God. He is doing great things through your life, and if you take the time to rest in Him, you will be made more complete by the rests.
Amy Givens, Director of Youth Ministry
