A Purpose In Pain

I was listening to the only radio station I get out here in Valencia, 89.9 KCRW, the other day. They did a segment on a symphony from German composer Robert Schumann, in which they had a guest musicologist in to talk about the piece, it's origin, it's movements, and different musical themes that paralleled what was going on in the life of the composer.

She mentioned that Robert Schumann endured several bouts with extremely severe depression throughout his life, and that eventually, he would attempt suicide and end up in an asylum towards the end of his life.

It was interesting to hear her, and the radio host, both talking about how the music clearly narrates a time in Schumann's life when he had just recently overcome a depressed period, and how shifts in the music represent his depressed state being conquered, and the joy that followed.

They both considered the question: Would it have been possible for Schumann's symphony to exhibit the same depth of character, the same passion of overcoming extreme hardship, without his horrific battle with depression?

So many people are critical of a God who "lets bad things happen to good people," and while it's easy spout out the "well none of us is really 'good' according to God..." answer, it is fascinating that even in a completely secular context, people can choose to see the "good" in pain, and a purpose in suffering.

It's generally agreed upon that the quality of endurance is a positive characteristic. What's interesting is that endurance is ONLY EVER produced through trial of some kind. When I think of endurance, I think of a long distance runner, or cyclist. What kind of pain do they put their bodies through to develop the physical endurance to run a race? Immense.

Romans 5 says that we have peace with God because we've been justified by faith, and that we have obtained access to his grace, and the hope of the glory of God...

But MORE THAT THAT, we rejoice in our SUFFERINGS, knowing that suffering produces ENDURANCE, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Sometimes evil and suffering in the world bring confusion, and the temptation to doubt God, but in the same way that we saw purpose in the suffering of Robert Schumann, without which he could never have composed the depth of music he did, we can know God has a purpose with a more beautiful and perfect result than any symphony: his glory.