Sweet, Sweet Dissonance

My wife and I have just returned from a sweet time of fellowship with another Christian couple, who introduced us to one of the local theaters we had never visited before. There, the four of us sat together, enjoying a free concert in which the local symphonic band performed “The Planets,” a seven-part suite by English composer Gustave Holst.

This wonderful piece, written to imaginatively portray the characteristics of the planets in our solar system: Mars, Venus, Mercury, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Jupiter, struck me as similar in many ways to the later works of screen composer John Williams (Superman: The Movie; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Star Wars; Jaws; Close Encounters; E.T., etc.). As I listened, especially to the first two movements, I almost expected C3PO and R2D2 to come skittering out onto the stage.

Another thing I found striking about the music was the way that dissonance was used. Dissonance is usually a term used to describe countermelodies or chords or other combinations of sounds that “clash.” Sounds that seem disagreeable to most ears, that do not harmonize in a pleasing or restful way. Dissonant chords are useful in almost all kinds of music, adding a feeling of unrest, of stressful disturbance, of a troubled striving between musical lines or notes that cries out for resolution. Indeed, the longer and more strident the clashing sounds become and are prolonged in a piece, the greater is the pleasure the listener experiences when a sweet major or minor chord is reached, bringing a feeling of rest...of peace...of home.

Dissonance in music, much like bitterness or sourness in some foods, adds interest and fascination to the art. Without elements of bitter and sour, we’d never fully experience the robust flavor of a good coffee, for example, or the tang of a juicy orange. Without dissonance in music, all our pieces would be no more interesting than nursery songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle” or “Go Tell Aunt Rhody.” 

In my life, I am constantly running into people and situations that I might interpret as “dissonant” --things that rub me the wrong way. People who seem to show up in order to spoil my day. And, honestly, many times it is the person staring back at me in the mirror that I find to be the worst culprit of all. Some times I look back at the end of a day and wonder at my own words, thoughts or actions that struck chords of horrible disharmony throughout that day.

My beloved pastor is teaching a current Sunday School series on the subject of “The Precious Things of God.” Things upon which our Father in Heaven places a high value, and which the world at large would never consider valuable at all. In previous weeks, Pastor Jon has covered the preciousness of Jesus Christ, and our Faith. This morning, he explained that God considers the Trials he sends our way to also be a commodity of surpassing value to Him. And to me.

Why? Why are Trials so precious to the Lord? Trials like illness, unfriendly people, unfair criticism, times of intense loneliness, loss of loved ones...why are such things valuable? 

Because they strengthen my faith. Because they purify my faith and prove it is genuine because it doesn’t give up under the stress of trials. Because trials help to cure me of stubborn self-reliance. Because they drive me to my knees in prayer. Because they send me running to Jesus. Because I get to know Him best, when I need Him the most.

My life in Christ is like a piece of symphonic music. All kinds of people and situations and inner desires are sounding out notes and melodies and chords both sweet and sour. And, like Gustave Holst, the divine Composer is steering my life into points of painful dissonance, during which I am tempted to cover my ears in horror and despair. But God assures me that “the light and momentary trials” I experience are as nothing, compared to the harmonious future that draws closer and closer every day. The final day when, by His grace, I’ll reach my eternal destination.

We were created in God’s image. We all fell into sin and that image was marred and cracked and distorted almost beyond recognition. Our harmony with heaven was ruined. But once we turn to Christ and place our trust in Him and His work alone for salvation, things begin to change. Life begins again in a brand new key.

And day by day, movement by movement, measure by measure, note by note, our lives can be rewritten to reflect the glorious and holy harmony found in the voice and face of Christ. God will bring trials into our lives that seem discordant and scream for resolution; often it seems the dissonance will never end!

But even at those moments in my life’s “score,” I can rejoice. The Composer/Conductor knows what He’s doing. And some day very soon, the perfect resolution will resound.

And I’ll be home.