The orchestra played on, and all who heard were carried off in rapture sweet—

But none as sweet as mine!  For in my hand the finest instrument I held!

As perfect as it was, I knew full well it made no sound apart from me!

And so, with every note, my heart and soul poured out and joined the symphony.

The song was fine, indeed!  And yet the thrill I felt within my deepest soul

Was not the lifeless thrill of splendid notes inscripted there upon the page.

Oh, no!  The thrill was this: to gaze upon the great conductor’s earnest face

And feel the passion there—for he, himself, the wondrous music had composed!

But, wait!  With sinking heart, I saw the master’s wand had bid me cease to play!

And it was true enough, for there upon my page of notes appeared a rest!

So useless now I felt, and settled sadly back into my player’s chair

While all the rest played on—a song complete, without me or the notes I played!

And there I might have stayed, had not the great conductor’s eyes sought out my own.

Within his eyes I read a sense of peace, of purpose, and of perfect calm,

And yet an urgent look, as though to stir me from my doleful lethargy.

Instinctively, I roused and lifted up my instrument in readiness.

Then, suddenly, his wand reached forth and, for a moment, pointed straight at me!

And from his eyes I knew that on this beat my note must needs be clearly played!

‘Twas then my heart perceived:  The exit and the entry both were wisely planned!

For, by the rest I took, one tender phrase was from another made unique!

How narrow I had been, to miss the whole and focus on my meager part!

The rest upon my page was crucial in the building of the glorious song!

And when I ceased to play, the absence of my notes, within the grander scheme,

Became the making of a song enhanced in beauty by diversity!

And thus I understood that, void of music as a rest may seem to be,

It serves a purpose clear:  the making of the music as the master plans.

Oh, Lord, may I not fail to call to mind this simple lesson I have learned

And wait in patient faith when, on my page of life, Your hand has placed a rest!

May you find rest in the assurance of God’s good purpose in your life.

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.  –Psalm 27:13-14

And they that know Thy name will put their trust in Thee: for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek Thee.  –Psalm 9:10

I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope.  Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.  –Psalm 16:8-9, 11

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.  --Romans 8:28