The year was 1792, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had died only a few months ago at the tragic age of 35 and the streets of Vienna were quiet when a young, grumpy, serious, romantic, genius entered the musical scene.
Ludwig Von Beethoven had come to Vienna to study with Hayden, the well loved and established musical patriarch at the time, and the two became fast friends. It was Hayden who predicted that Beethoven would pick up the baton that had been dropped by Mozart’s sudden passing and carry on to new levels of excellence, which is exactly what happened, but not without significant difficulty.
Beethoven began to find his voice in 1802, known as his “middle period”. It was during this time that his sound started to shift away from the simplistic and melodic form of Mozart toward a more complex and heroic tonality. He was finding his stride and producing new sounds and symphonic experiences that had audiences in Vienna raptured and eager for more. But while Beethoven’s popularity and skill were on the rise his hearing began to decline. In the most ironic and cruel turn of events the world’s leading musical voice was going slowly deaf.
At the advice of medical he was encouraged to flee the city and isolate to a small suburb known as Heiligenstadt. It was there, devoid of friends and family, that Beethoven was faced with the ultimate reality of his fate. God had given him the gift of music and taken from him the ability to hear it. As the crushing truth of his situation settled in he took it upon himself to write a letter to his brothers, known now as the Heiligenstadt Testament. In this letter he expressed his fear, his loss of self, and his desire to end his own life finding little to no meaning in it without music. Yet, thankfully, that letter was never sent (it was recovered among his belongings after his natural death in 1827) and Beethoven resolved to live for and through his music to the benefit of himself and the whole world.
Beyond Beethoven’s “middle period” having endured to total loss of his hearing he carried on bringing about a musical and cultural transformation. He was responsible for and contributed to the transition of what we call the Classical Era of music to the Romantic Era. He went on to write the definitive sounds that would characterize string quartets, piano sonatas, and (of course) symphonies for more than 100 years.
Beethoven’s story sounds almost mythic, doesn’t it? There are stories of him sawing off the legs of his piano so that it would lay flat on the ground enabling him to feel the vibrations of his cords as he would write down his compositions. Seriously?!? I mean, I can barely deal with the inconvenience of the Wi-Fi going out for fifteen minutes. This true story can both inspire and dismiss. On the one hand it shows us what is possible in the human spirit and inspires us to overcome obstacles. But, on the other hand it can sound so fantastic that it seems impossible for us to live up to.
So, what are we to learn from Beethoven’s inspiring story? How are we meant to carry on through suffering, inconvenience, and tragedy? I think it can be summed up in a single word – Joy.
The writer of Hebrews, when writing to a group of Christians who were being persecuted for their faith, said this;
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
The cloud of witnesses mentioned here are stories like Beethoven’s. Stories of mythic proportions that are meant to show us what is possible in the life of faith. And these stories are meant to point us toward Jesus, the true myth. And notice the line about Jesus’ motivation to endure the shame and pain of the cross – it was for joy. Jesus had a joy like Beethoven had music. Something to live through and for, and so do you and I.
Joy is more of a choice than a feeling. It’s something you resolve to hold on to, notice, and lean on. As we are in the season of Lent leading to the triumph of Easter now is the perfect time to think about joy. Below are a few practices to help you find a sustaining joy.
Practice Gratitude Daily
This may seem small, but it’s not. Writing down what you are grateful for everyday sets a firm foundation to build on. When Beethoven lost his hearing, he was, at first, afraid of what he had lost, yet he chose to press on realizing that while his hearing was gone his will to live was still present. That was enough to work with. You have that same choice everyday, to be grateful for what you have or consumed by what you lack. Scripture tells us, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Each day, take time to write down three things you are thankful for. Keep it small and honest. Gratitude is the gateway to joy.
Reframe Suffering with Eternal Perspective
Beethoven’s suffering did not define him; it refined him. Likewise, Jesus, for the joy set before him, endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2). Joy is not the absence of suffering, it is what we choose in the midst of suffering. Paul wrote, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). If you are suffering you can choose to be defined by it or allow it to refine your perspective on life, relationships, God, your health, and how you see yourself. For hundreds of years the church has prayed the Psalms to choose joy in suffering. Meditate on the struggle and beauty in those biblical prayers to cultivate perseverance, character and hope in hard seasons.
Dwell on What is True and Good
What you constantly think about will shape your emotions. Paul reminds us to focus our thoughts on: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). Spend time each day thinking about something good. Enjoy some food with family, really chew your food and thank God for it. Listen to some music (you might want to give Beethoven’s string quartet #14 in C minor a try – it’s one of my favorites), and really listen to the music and enjoy the mastery of emotions that come from it. Go on a walk, hug a tree, paint a picture, you get the idea. Train yourself to catch glimpses of God’s goodness in the everyday.
Near the end of Beethoven’s life, he composed what may be one of the most beloved and recognized symphonies of all time, his Ninth Symphony. It is a one hour behemoth of complex and sublime mastery. This is Beethoven operating at the top of his craft near the end of his life while still completely deaf. It was the first time that an orchestra and full choir were combined in one piece. It begins in C minor and fights its way to a triumphant C major summit resolving in the famous “Ode to Joy” chorus. After tragedy, isolation, thoughts of suicide, and disability Beethoven’s last great work tells the story of abiding joy.
As followers of Jesus, we must remember joy like Beethoven did, to rejoice in the hope here and now and into eternity. Romans 12:12 urges us to “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” That’s the choice we are called to respond to. The question is, will we listen for the music and join the chorus?
By Brandon Gilliam
