Bass-line Trials

I was reading my daily devotional book by CH Spurgeon the other day and one of the sentences really stood out for me. The Lord has been playing it over and over in my heart so I thought I would share it with you all. I posted the photo of the quote to Facebook, here it is again.

Isn't that just amazing imagery?? I love how Spurgeon sees the world. His poetic descriptions make me smile. This one in particular. 

I love the thought that our trials are the bass line in our life's song. Imagine a song with no bass line. It is empty, shallow and without real colour. The music is unbalanced. Actually, for me, it becomes even a little boring and irritating. 

But when the bass kicks in there is an immediate change in the depth of the piece of music. I love how the bass adds colour, fullness and rounds out the music. It becomes almost multi-dimensional. 

My daughter Aimée is learning to play cello and it is a beautiful instrument. The richness of the bass notes it plays is truly heart-warming. Even when it is played less than perfectly, there is a beauty in the deep, resonance that flows from it. 

I think that is what Spurgeon had in mind when he said that griefs are the bass part of our life's song. Our trials do not take away from the melody of our life. Trials and griefs add dimensions that are not possible to know without them. Imagine a life that is only ever good. While most of us think we want that, we would end up being very one-dimensional people. I believe God allows trials to round out our character, to bring about depth and fullness in us just as the bass does in music. 

Our trials do not lessen our praise before God. If anything, surely it must gladden God's heart to hear His children praise Him in the midst of adversity? I imagine it does. There is a depth and balance to the worship that flows from a heart that has known griefs yet still turns to God in praise. 

I thank God for the bass line that He has allowed in my life. Without it my song of praise to Him would be much emptier and much less balanced. Life is like a symphony that ebbs and flows from highs to lows. Every instrument is necessary to create the full, multi-dimensional song of praise that God alone deserves. 

My griefs will not mar my song, instead I will use them to make even sweeter music unto my God. 

God bless xx