Sunday evening at our son’s house we reveled in a rare musical experience—a private mini-concert by a gifted violinist, Jenny Armor. She happens to be the daughter of friends, and they’d joined us for dinner.
Not only is Jenny able to play ultra-challenging music with superb technique, she plays from her heart. This week Jenny graduates from a music conservatory in Canada; in the fall she’ll begin a two-year master’s program in Europe.
Here’s a link to a video of Jenny playing a Schoenfeld trio for clarinet, violin, and piano, recorded two years ago.
You can imagine what two more years of training and practice have achieved. But one thing has been apparent since Jenny was very young: making beautiful music brings her blessed happiness.
Of course, Jenny’s violin experience didn’t begin with the works of Schoenfeld, Brahms, or Tchaikovsky. Most likely it was “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” But as she’s grown in knowledge and then put that knowledge into practice (lots of practice!), the pleasure Jenny derives from playing has only expanded.
The same could be said for many endeavors. The journey to become an expert in any field is to increase the pleasure of that activity along the way.
Even in the spiritual realm, a close parallel can be drawn:
To advance in the knowledge of Christ is to increase in happiness.
Charles Spurgeon, Morning by Morning
Someone might ask, “How can just knowing the stories of Jesus increase my happiness?”
First, familiarity with the biblical accounts can provide pleasure. Who doesn’t enjoy a good story? But the delight expands as we identify Christ’s attributes-in-action and then realize they also impact us.
Those attributes would include:
- Compassion—upon those who came to hear him teach and those who approached him for healing (Matthew 14:14; Mark1:40-41, et al.)
- Mercy and grace to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2; Mark 2:5, et al.)
- Respect and kindness for all people, including hated Samaritans (John 4), Roman occupiers (Luke 7:1-10), and disregarded pagans (Matthew 15:21-24)
- Selflessness, ultimately expressed as he endured crucifixion (Matthew 20:26-28)
And as we develop awareness, we see more and more evidence of such attributes at work in and around us. Think of it: The King of the universe is participating in our lives (Revelation 17:14; Philippians 2:13)! And growing appreciation leads to greater joy.
The next question becomes, how might we see more evidence of his presence, in order to experience fresh delights? One way is meditation.
For want of [meditation],
much communion is lost and much happiness is missed.
Charles Spurgeon, Morning and Evening
Meditation on Christ is what turns knowledge about him into an intimate relationship with him. It begins with slow, prayerful reading of New Testament verses or passages. Questions such as these can guide our thinking:
- What does this text reveal about my relationship with Christ?
- What am I learning about God the Son in this passage, about his character and/or activity?
- What encouragement or instruction would he have me internalize and apply to my life?
- What insights might I make a matter of prayer?
And if we record responses in a notebook or journal, we’ll deepen our reflection and receive even greater benefit, because oftentimes to write is to discover.
We can conclude our meditations with praise, for who our Savior is, what he has done, and the understandings brought to light by the Spirit. This prayer might also be written, to augment its imprint on our hearts.
And then, with Puritan minister and author John Flavel, we’ll be able to affirm:
Just as our young friend Jenny surely experiences happy blessedness as she pursues her violin studies, how much more will we experience fresh delight and happy blessedness in Jesus as we study him.
Art & photo credits: http://www.flickr.com; http://www.freerangestock.com; http://www.canva.com
Nancy, this is beautiful! Jenny, you’re outstanding in your craft. This touched my heart in many ways. I love how you paralleled her happy blessedness with our happy blessedness of studying and KNOWING HIM. Excellent points, pictures, and the video of Jenny, is amazing. Meditation. I try to do this each day. I’m struggling in my routine, yet, my spiritual “poverty” requires much feeding. I get lost in my books by Spirit-inspired writers, some you quoted, and even more–the living Word. May we all learn and know…so we can enjoy the intimacy of our Savior. Jenny, I wish you the best as you travel overseas for your Masters! God bless you, Nancy!
Thank you, Karla, for your encouragement for Jenny and me. The first time I heard her play was when she was fifteen. Her performance even then brought me to tears. / I appreciated your point about spiritual poverty. We’re all impoverished and in need of much feeding. I’m so thankful that in our time there are so many resources available to us!
It’s my blessing, Nancy! I understand the tears. Your video touched me. The passion and giftedness moved me! Many blessings, Nancy. I appreciate you!
Thank you, Karla. I appreciate you too–the way you faithfully demonstrate Philippians 4:4-8 in your day-to-day life, even while battling cancer. You ARE a beautiful inspiration, my friend!
What a lovely meditation on practice, Nancy! That is so neat that you got to have a private mini-concert from such a gifted musician!
Thank you Wynne. We’re always thrilled on any occasion we get to hear Jenny play!
Thanks for sharing Jenny’s musical talents and for relating them to meditation on God’s word. I go through ups and downs in my personal devotionals–usually related to travel between two houses. It throws me off of most of my various routines, and I am currently struggling to normalize my life again. Thanks for the good reminder.
A change in routine certainly can throw off our quiet time with God. But like any good parent, he’s no doubt pleased with every effort you expend to spend time with him!
Thank you for sharing the marvelous concert with Jenny. The timing of the trio was so perfect. Saying they’re gifted is an understatement. Your correlation of joy from music and from the Word is easy to understand. Thanks, Nancy! 🙂
Isn’t Jenny marvelous?! And thank you for the affirmation that the correlation worked! 😁
“The journey to become an expert in any field is to increase the pleasure of that activity along the way.” I love this, and completely agree, Nancy! It takes a person thousands of hours of dedicated practice to become an expert at anything. This is hard enough in itself, but seems nye impossible if one hated every minute of it. I found a great quote by Eve Fairbanks that helped as I trained to run my first marathon–at fifty years old: “Pleasure upon pleasure, the certainty of my ability amplifying with each new trial.” I listened to a bit of the trio. These three superb musicians are perfectly in sync with each other!
Thank you for sharing that Eve Fairbanks quote, David. I’ll be adding that one to my collection! / Thank you also for taking time to watch some of the video. You’re so right about staying in sync with the other performers–an important nuance of musical excellence!
It’s especially a challenge for a small instrumental ensemble, with no one conducting them, and playing Schoenberg!
Agreed!
Awesome that you had a private mini concert. And I so like what you shared of our greater joy from an increased knowledge of Christ.
Thank you, Manu! I’m so glad you found value in the principle shared here.
wow beautiful music and wisdom here today. Thank you!
Thank you, Jean! Praise God for his inspiration, that you found beauty and wisdom here!
Beautiful music! Thank you for sharing this awesome post with us…our joy does increase in our journey through life as we draw ever nearer to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Thank you Linda for your affirmation that our joy does increase as we draw ever nearer to Christ. Such a glorious reality!
One perk on getting older is I have more time for meditating on Him. More time for bible study, more time for listening to good teaching, more time for reading great books that uplift the Lord. And more time for listening to music. I am southern gospel fan and my latest go to is a group called, Brothers of the Heart. The songs they sing with four part harmony brings me to tears often. What a blessing to have a private concert from such an accomplish artist. It was beautiful. Blessings.
I agree, WH–one of retirement’s most delightful blessings is the gift of more time for Bible study, meditation, and reading. I look forward to it every morning! / I’m so glad you appreciated Jenny’s gift of music (along with those two fellow students). I just listened to a sample of Brothers of the Heart on youtube. You’re right: their voices blend in beautiful harmony!
Jenny is gifted, indeed. Her delight in playing is seen clearly in her body language. Which makes me wonder how my “body language”, how I’m with others and responding to others, shows how much time I’ve spent with Jesus in getting to know Him? Wise words, my friend. Thank you.
That’s an interesting question you raise, how body language might communicate the depth of our relationship with Jesus. Worth pondering! (I imagine it would include shoulders back, a spring in our step, and a smile!)
Thank you for introducing us to Jenny Armor, Nancy. And I appreciate the inspiring analogy to our intimacy with Christ.
Thank YOU, Lisa! I’m so glad you found the analogy worthwhile. As always, I must praise God for his inspiration!
“Meditation on Christ is what turns knowledge about him into an intimate relationship with him.”
This quote is so true, Nancy! Thank you for this post.
And, Jenny is amazing! Wow!
So glad you found this post worthwhile, Mary–AND that you enjoyed hearing/watching Jenny play her violin. I have a feeling she’s going to wow a lot of people in the coming years!
It’s the practice of His presence, and it makes all the difference in our lives. It seems I can never plumb the depths of all that Christ is. I love your writing, Nancy, and am so blessed to read every word.
AMEN to practicing God’s presence, Patty! And with you, I delight to know there will always be more to discover about our Savior, more depths of experience and relationship to enjoy! / Thank you so much for your encouragement. It warms my heart to know you find blessing here!
Jenny surely has a magnificent gift. While listening to this trio (perfection!) it occurred to me what dedication and talent it takes to perform solo and the extra practice it takes to perform a piece of music with other musicians. Music ministers to my soul.
I’m so glad that the trio’s music ministered to your soul, Cheri. Shoenfeld may not be for everyone, but this composition certainly highlights the expertise of these young musicians! If you’d like to hear a bit more of Jenny’s talent, there are two movements from a Brahms’ selection on YouTube, recorded when she was just sixteen or seventeen.
Nancy,
As teachers we know study can be tough but needed. It’s easier to look up info. In Christ, Gary
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
I have to admit, I hated practicing on the piano during my growing-up years. Once I stopped taking lessons, though, and could choose the music I wanted to learn, suddenly my interest perked up and I played more than ever. But NEVER could I see myself putting in the hours of music students such as Jenny!
Wonderful.
Gary Avants Forbear Productions * *garyavants66@gmail.com garyavants66@gmail.com
Gary, I’ll relay your compliment to Jenny!