Rhythm

I recently came across a book simply entitled Sabbath. The all caps title initially caught my eye, but the first few pages drew me in because they spoke to a hidden need I almost didn’t recognize. Despite my plans to be otherwise productive, I enjoyed the entire 200+ pages that afternoon and evening — something I almost never get to do anymore unless I can justify it as work-related. Fortunately, that day had already been designated as my Sabbath day, and it lent to what I hope will be a growing fruitful practice of the Sabbath principle.

The overarching theme of the book was the rhythmic, seasonal, cyclical nature of life, including (and to some extent built on) consistent practice of the Sabbath. Pointing to nature, history, and religion, the author emphasized Sabbath not as an optional luxury, but a life-giving necessity. Just as there were dire consequences for the Israelites if they forgot the Sabbath, there are serious and detrimental effects if we ignore regular seasons of rest and renewal. In every realm of our being, from physical to spiritual, there is a rhythm of effort and rest, outpouring and renewal.

Over the last few years, I’ve attended quite a few worship music-related conferences and workshops. This book reminded me of two things from separate sessions:

1. The rhythm section drives the song.

So often, we think the person leading the singing leads the music, but in a band with everyone all in, it’s really the drummer. If this particular member persists in playing at a certain tempo, everyone has to follow along, even if it is too fast or too slow. It’s virtually impossible to overcome a driving rhythm from outside of it’s source; the change has to willingly come from within that instrumentalist, from whom it will flow through the rhythm to the rest of the band. If the tempo is too far off the mark, the team can’t worship well together and will soon stop playing altogether.

The same is true with our lives. If we feel driven by an excessively fast-paced schedule, we either need to change our inner pace and spirits, or our bodies will change it for us with illness, fatigue, or just plain ol’ crankiness. No one will do that for us. It has to come from within, and it eventually will whether we choose it or not. As we adjust our rhythm to fit, it will have a positive influence on those around us. If we insist on playing at the wrong tempo, we may soon find ourselves playing alone.

2. Every once in awhile, it’s ok to allow the beat to be felt rather than heard.

In contemporary music improvisation, we don’t necessarily have to hit every beat. If we have 60 beats per minute clicking in our heads, that internal metronome will still be felt by others even when we don’t play something for every beat. Especially for background music, sometimes less is more.

Remembering to practice a regular Sabbath rest is like applying that internal metronome to our lives without playing through every beat. Regardless of the tempo, withholding a few notes here and there can create a more dynamic and interesting melody. There can be certain phrases and themes within the song that have a more obviously consistent rhythm, but regularly holding back gives the listener (including the performer) space for peace and a little imagination.

Ready or Not

There is always more to do; one accomplishment leads to another task. My co-worker at my first design job used to tease me for wanting to stay later, to knock off just one more from the line of job jackets waiting on the table. She would tell me, “If you go home, it will still be there tomorrow. Don’t worry…it won’t go anywhere.” She might not have been a follower of Christ, but that was wise advice applicable to Sabbath practice.

What struck me most in this book was the admission no one is ever ready to stop working and striving…that’s why it is a command. Regardless of when sundown happened, irrespective of seasonal changes or daylight savings, when those first three stars appeared in the night sky, the Sabbath began. It could be 8pm in the summer or 4:30pm in the winter. Even in the time changes, there is a natural cycle beyond my control that I need to follow. I don’t fit a regular Sabbath into my agenda when it’s convenient. I need to build my schedule around a regular Sabbath because it is important. The things I didn’t accomplish before my Sabbath starts will most likely be waiting patiently for me when my Sabbath ends, but I’ll be in a better place to accomplish them to a greater degree of excellence.

Grace

I don’t know why we (or I — is it just me?) resist such an obviously pleasant command. Of the Ten, this one sounds like the most fun: rest! Take the day off! Renew your spirit, soul, and body. You’ll be that much more prepared and equipped to tackle and enjoy your God-given assignments.

Instead, it feels like an act of sheer will and determination because it’s a command (read: miserable). From my perspective, I’m giving up time, giving up progress. It’s a mandated loss. What a limited perspective that is!

There is no doubt in my mind God enjoys music. My favorite interpretation of Matthew 11.29 comes from Eugene Peterson’s The Message.

Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.

That sounds like a life that doesn’t just incorporate a Sabbath practice, but builds upon it. It isn’t too much of a stretch to imagine our lives as our compositions of worship music to God directed by clear rhythms. We even use the metaphor of “following a different beat” to describe a life that is unique. The question is, which rhythms will we build our lives upon: striving or grace?