Thoughts from a Musician's Heart
WHO STEERS? WHO ROWS? by Carter Johnson
The classical music industry can be a tough and unforgiving business. Just combine the
extreme levels of competition, a relatively small audience pool, and the enormous
artistic and emotional demands on the musicians (not to mention the sheer hours of
practice required) — is it any wonder that we often get discouraged?
Over the past few years, I have been spending a great deal of time doing professional
piano competitions, and anyone who has ever done a music competition knows that there are
few places more ripe for discouragement than here. You prepare for a competition for
months, sometimes even traveling to the other side of the world, only to be eliminated
after the very first round because a couple too many jury members didn’t like your
ornamentation in the Bach (or some other such reason)! Yes, the intensity, challenges,
and highs & lows of competitions are sort of an exaggerated version of what navigating
the classical music world is like as a whole, which has led me to ask the question — how
should we as Christian musicians approach these experiences?
Thankfully, the Lord provides ample wisdom for us on the subject. I would like to
present two general truths I have found to be helpful, illustrated from the book of
Proverbs — ones which I believe need to be balanced like two reins in the hands of a
stagecoach driver.
The first one is that the scriptures absolutely extol the virtue and value of diligent, hard
work. One verse we recently taught our children is Proverbs 6:6 —“Go to the ant, thou
sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise.” Or a couple more — “The soul of the sluggard
desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat” (Proverbs
13:4). “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall
not stand before mean men” (Proverbs 22:29). Surely the Lord means to tell us that we
simply need to work hard, and then all will be provided for us. Right?
Well, perhaps not quite. Before I am attacked with anecdotal objections, I must clarify
that the book of Proverbs is a book full of general truths and wisdom, not absolute ones.
You may know colleagues with less talent and drive than you who you feel are more
successful... or the reverse may be true! These things are a real and inevitable part of
life. So while it is true that hard work is meaningful, profitable, and brings glory to God,
he often has plans that may seem out of step with this. And this is where we come to
trusting and resting in God’s providence, regardless of circumstances. Take Proverbs
19:21 — “There are many devices in a man’s heart; nevertheless the counsel of the
LORD, that shall stand.” Or, how about Proverbs 16:33 — “The lot is cast into the lap;
but the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.” Want to talk about how selection for
competitions, school and orchestra auditions, and faculty positions often seems to be
“random”? Sure, but even something as seemingly random as the casting of lots is
governed by the Lord. And since God is a good God, we can trust that in his wisdom he
is working out everything to its proper end, for both his glory and the good of his
children.
So, on the one hand, we are to do our best and work diligently for God’s glory, but on the
other hand, we are to leave the results to God’s providence, and trust in his goodness