I was watching highlights of the Beijing Olympic figure skating competition last evening and my thoughts went to Condoleezza Rice, a personal hero of mine who might have made the U.S. Olympic figure skating team herself years ago. One little known fact about her is the origin of her first name (Condoleezza) which is a musical term defined as “to play sweetly with feeling.” And if being an awesome athlete isn’t enough, she was also a concert pianist, who at the end of her career as Secretary of State played a “command”performance for the Queen (not exactly a command performance because Dr. Rice is not a British subject.) But she was happy to do it, and the appreciative Queen had a special recording made for Dr. Rice of that occasion. But not everyone is a Condoleezza. Some are a niente. But what does that mean?

From there, I thought of other musical terms and how they might apply to Christians and the lives that they lead. Many Christians live joyful lives and this can be described by the term allegrezza. Other Christians are stoical, devoid of emotions (characterized by the term freddo.). Irato (angry) or melancolico meaning sad or depressed are other possible antonyms to allegrezza. Some Christians are piacevole, or agreeable and easy to get along with. Others are impetuous (giocoso) or playful (impetuoso.) Some Christians are hotly animated by events (fuocoso), a term that can also mean passionate and closely related to the term emporté. Some are capriccioso or unpredictable. Still others are devoto or particularly religious.

Those Christians above with tempermental issues will be transformed (Romans 12:2)over time by the Holy Spirit if he or she does not resist the Spirit. A good illustration is found in “The Shepherd of Hermas,” Book III, Similitude IX, Chapters 4ff. In that similitude angels oversee the collection of natural rocks in order to build a tower (the tower representing the Church. But as you know, rocks come in different shapes and sizes, and they need to be trimmed down or shaped in order to fit with the other stones (each stone or rock representing a different person.). This is what happens to each of us in life as we face disappointment, heartache, longing, etc. (Romans 5:1-5; James 1:2-4.) We develop the Godly virtues known as “fruits of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23.)

One term stuck out, however: a niente. This is a piano term which means “To nothing; indicating a diminuendo which fades completely away.” It’s sort of like a heart tracing in the hospital where heart beats of a critically ill patient become smaller and smaller in height (volts) until you reach asystole or cardiac arrest. The heart at that point is too weak to pump any longer. The End.

I read maybe a dozen tweets a day on Twitter. Not very many at all, but enough to see the effects that the pandemic, the disruptions or loss of loved ones in family and social relationships, the wanton violence in this country, the hateful political rhetoric and recriminations, the rumors of war in Europe, and elsewhere are having on people (including Christians and young Christians in particular.) These are difficult times, and many people are being tempted to just let go. That might mean suicide for some, and just “giving up” emotionally and spiritually for others. TIme out!

The National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 800-273-8255

This is not a post on suicide, but I would be negligent if I did not mention that there are many reasons that make life worth living (including God’s love) and that people who consider suicide are often “not their normal selves.” If you are considering suicide, please take a moment to call 800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline and speak with a professional. Or, visit a hospital, police or fire station close by.

The musical term a niente represents a special effect in music. There is a certain psychology in music. Not many listeners may be aware of this, but well written music creates a certain “tension” that is relieved (or not) further into the composition. This is how music stirs people emotionally to tears, thoughts of hope, love and tenderness, and so on. The term a niente refers to a gradually decrease in the volume of a note or chord (such as with a fade out.) Eventually, there is silence.

Earlier this week I read a verse in Revelation 2:10 “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” I understand this to mean “don’t quit,” or “walk if you can no longer run” or “just hang in there.”

Dance like nobody’s watching

How many have heard the saying “Dance like nobody’s watching?” Well, God is watching, and God is with as you drive alone down some desolate country roadway on a dark, stormy night, and as you as you stumble towards the finish line of a marathon as well. Don’t pack up shop just because your expectations have not been met.

I remember a winter Sunday morning once as a child of ten or twelve years of age. I was in church with maybe ten other parishioners. The pastor was stuck in snow miles away and could not get to church. One of the elders went forward and shared the news, dismissing us with a “sorry you came out for nothing” comment (or one similar to that.) Why could the elders not make something of the situation? In a high liturgical chuch you must be ordained to conduct some activities (such as administer communion.) But why could the elder not have asked “How God has blessed us the past week? Who has an example?” Or, “Does anyone have a person we can pray for before we leave?” Or, “Does someone have something that is troubling them?” Even a hymn like “Spirit of the Living God” or “A Mighty Fortress” will reap rewards. Brothers and sisters, this is how revivals begin! God is famous for pulling victory out of the jaws of defeat.

Scripture tells us that God’s word does not return in vain (Isaiah 55:11: “So shall My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.”) I don’t have dozens of people who visit my blog on a daily basis, but I do have some, and they encounter God’s word and he uses these encounters. It doesn’t matter that I don’t see the fruits of this. I called a person once whose phone number I got in a dream and shared with her that God loves her. I could tell she was touched by some stranger who called her on her unlisted number (God knew her number.) My being obedient on that occasion may have launched a process that led to her salvation. I don’t know, nor do I need to know. But I felt really pumped afterwards!

If you are lost, or saved but living in misery, I can promise you that God has something better in mind for you. This post might be your first step to recovery. Don’t give up. Don’t quit the race. Don’t fade away to nothingness.