Music Matters: Delighting in Silence

Last updated on: March 5, 2013 at 10:00 am by Matthew Linder

Music Matters: Delighting in Silence 2013-03-04T19:23:38-07:00 Matthew Linder

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Each Tuesday in Music Matters, Matthew Linder explores the intersections of music, culture and faith.

An examination of the importance of silence in connecting with our God.

Lent is a season of giving up something or taking on something new, to refocus the entirety of our being to the triune God. Since we are in the midst of this season, I thought I would reflect on our daily consumption of music and the need for us to engage more often with God in times of silence and stillness. Something I write for all of us to consider, including myself.

I love music. I have two degrees in music, blog about music and teach music. If I am in the car, at home dancing with my daughter, working, on a walk or writing—I am listening to music. Even when I do not have music playing, I have a mental playlist of songs I riffle through. Many of you might have similar experiences in your daily feast on music.

Stepping into the public square, music seems to be inescapable. From the ubiquitous Muzak heard in shopping malls, elevators and hotels to our instantaneous access to almost the entire musical output of all human cultures on our smart phones and tablets. There might be very few moments in any of our days were we are not inundated with music.

This is not to say that music does not have benefits. A recent study showed that workers can concentrate better on their work if they are listening to music. Another study found that listening to fast-paced songs while exercising increases the speed at which one works out. It is no wonder then that we find worship of our God is through music invigorating, and that it deepens our connection to God and the community which surrounds us.

A University of Florida infographic, though, shows that when we listen to music our brain fires on numerous cylinders. According to the graphic, music affects so many aspects of the brain that processing music can be a form of information overload. As a culture who is already obsessed with easily acessible information, we are equally obsessed with filling our day with the pleasing sounds of music. The primary reason being: Silence scares us.

Most of us would agree with Danish composer Carl Nielsen, “I love the vast surface of silence; and it is my chief delight to break it.” And this is exactly what occurred when avant-garde composer John Cage had pianist David Tudor sit at the piano for 4 minutes and 33 seconds on August 29th, 1952, playing nothing. As Cage later recalled, “You could hear the wind stirring outside during the first movement. During the second, raindrops began pattering the roof, and during the third people themselves made all kinds of interesting sounds as they talked or walked out.”

One thing I have noticed in Evangelical churches is our penchant for providing a musical soundtrack for our prayers, as if prayer is not worshipful enough on its own. That people might feel so uncomfortable with silence that they, like John Cage’s audience, might walk out the door. Despite our discomfort with silence, we need to purposely and intentionally spend more time in silence with our God. Music often serves as a distraction, filling in moments which could be better spent listening for that small, still voice of God.

This is something the Psalms reflect and impress heavily on, as in Psalm 62:1, “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.” Or Psalm 131:2, “But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.” The same was true for Jesus who withdrew from the crowds and his disciples in order to be with the Father—distraction-free and in prayerful silence (Luke 5:16). Next time we feel the need to break through the barrier of seemingly oppressive silence with our iPod or radio, instead let us delight in silence to bring us closer to our God.

Asides

Music

music matters

Previous Post

March 5, 2013

Podcast #113: Christian Music, Worship Music, and the Harlem Shake

Next Post

March 5, 2013 Bunheads: Why the Ballerinas Deserve a Call-Back

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Asides Elsewhere Featured Film Games General Culture Headline Literature Music Of the Moment Podcast Politics RetroPost Sports Technology Television Uncategorized Viral

Select a Month February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010 September 2010 August 2010 July 2010 June 2010 May 2010 April 2010 March 2010 February 2010 January 2010 December 2009 November 2009 October 2009 September 2009 August 2009 July 2009 June 2009 May 2009 April 2009 March 2009 February 2009 January 2009 December 2008 November 2008 October 2008 September 2008 August 2008 July 2008 June 2008 May 2008 April 2008 March 2008 February 2008 January 2008 December 2007 November 2007

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz