To say that the almost minute-long earthquake of January 12, 2010 caused great damage is purely an understatement. In truth, it is but a symbol of what has taken place on Haitian soil for centuries at many levels – physical, emotional, spiritual, financial, and environmental. It resembles a fatal series of darts going into human flesh – a grievous scenario that was quite common to the native Indians of Hispaniola. It typifies the endless misery, poverty, degradation, erosion, and mismanagement of Haiti. It is reminiscent of the ongoing voodoo sacrifices that claim the lives of thousands of Haitians.
Those are serious issues that disinter great desperation and even anger in concerned individuals, causing them to ask,
“How much more can Haiti take?”
In that, we all share a common lot with Haiti. Each one of us has pondered the familiar question, "How much more can I take?" Problems and challenges seem to lurk at every corner with no respite in sight.
An old friend betrays our confidence.
A spouse calls it quits.
A family member abuses our generosity.
A tornado successfully destroys the house we carefully built . . . twice.
At times, it seems that no matter how hard we try we fall flat on our faces. The promotion for which we worked so hard goes right under our noses and lands on somebody else’s lap. Our medical bills are above the roof and by the due date we realize our bank account balance falls far below the needed amount. "When it rains, it pours," is a saying to which we have grown quite familiar and it seems to be true in so many of our lives. It is often hard to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel because we are so consumed or engulfed by life’s woes.
Thankfully, there is grace.
God’s grace provides exactly what we need when we need it. In His quest to transform my heart and meet my need, God graciously brought a term to my attention that has completely changed my perspective, and that is the term ostinato.
Ostinato refers to a brief phrase or motive that is repeated over and over in the same pattern or pitch. A piano piece that is well-known for its effective use of ostinato is the "Raindrop" prelude by Chopin. It features a constant A-flat/G-sharp repetition throughout the piece that can be quite nettlesome and irritating in the hands of an unskilled pianist. Yet, with an expert and sensitive performer, we are brought to a place of exquisite tranquility as we listen to a haunting melody in the upper register amply supported by beautiful harmonies.
Several years back, a wonderful friend and colleague played said piece in a modest chapel in Limbé, Haiti during a North Haiti Music Camp session. I am biased, perhaps, but I think his was possibly the most beautiful rendition I have heard to date. It was such a reminder of God's presence and peace in a land of unrest, strife, and scarcity. Though the middle section of the piece is scored in the lower register and intended by Chopin to be tumultuous, out of it emerged a beautiful and sonorous duet as my friend played.
As I contrast the haunting and high single melody with the low and somber duet, those two pictures depict to me the presence of God in both good and bad times. In good times, we tend to think that we are faring well on our own (solo); yet, that is never true because God is always with us. In bad times, however, we realize that we need help but the melody of God is quite low and almost too imperceptible for us to hear because we focus so much on the "ostinato" (the troublesome and repetitive darts) of our lives.
Luke 18:1-8 brings forth an alternative for those of us who believe in God. It tells the story of the widow who repeatedly went to the judge of her town with the same request, "Grant me justice against my adversary." She remained humble; nonetheless, she was so persevering and persistent that her wish was eventually granted to her. The passage said that the judge was determined to see that the widow gets justice if for no other reason than putting an end to her incessant request and daily trips to court.
As Jesus concludes the story, He calls His followers to embrace a similar commitment to a spiritual ostinato -- a summons to pray with perseverance, constancy, and devotion. Paul echoes that sentiment in Ephesians 6:18,
"Be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
He reiterates said principle in Colossians 4:2,
"Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."
And again in 1 Thessalonians 5:17,
"Pray without ceasing."
Through the Master's teaching we learn that the right response to the constant presence of strife is daily and incessant prayer. Therefore, as trials pile up, so should our prayers increase. And since trials produce joy by keeping us on our knees and dependent on God, we can conclude that the call to be joyful always is directly linked to our commitment to pray continually.
So, let us seek to be persistent (ostinato/obstinate) in prayer -- fixing our eyes on Jesus in the midst of trials, doing what is right, pursuing and embracing purity, helping the poor, developing our gifts, clinging to the hope found in Christ, holding on to our faith until Christ returns, encouraging the body of Christ, and sharing the good news of life to a dying world.
Father, guide us today and grant that we will seek You when things do not go according to our wishes and preferences. Teach us to keep our spiritual "ostinato" intact and unsullied so that, come trials and persecutions, we may endure, persevere, and persist in righteousness until the day of the Lord. In Christ and for the glory of Christ, we pray. Amen!
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