musical rests

a friend in the choir shared this inspiring piece today. i was really touched when i read it.. maybe because of the 'musical' tone (and we all know how i just *love* music <-- no sarcasm there).. but mostly because i really think it's what i needed to read today. hmmm. i just noticed that God has been sending me 'messages' throughout the day. i keep on running into these Divine inspirations since morning :) hehehe. i'm just really grateful for the enlightenment and encouragement that i get today. i'm hoping for the sunshine to break through.. :)

There is no music during the musical rest, but the musical rest is part of the making of the music. In the melody of life, the music is separated here and there by rests. During these musical rests, we foolishly believe we have come to the end of the song. 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. We grieve that our part is missing in the music that continually rises to the ear of our Creator. 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. They are not to be slurred over or omitted, nor used to destroy the melody or to change the key. If we will only look up, God Himself will count the time for us. With our eyes on Him, our next note will be full and clear. If we sorrowfully say to ourselves, "There is no music in a rest," let us not forget that the musical rest is part of the making of the music. The process is often slow and painful in this life, yet how patiently God works to teach us! And how long He waits for us to learn the lesson!