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The music of heaven
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“For God alone my soul in silence waits.” Psalm 62:1
Today I am writing this article from a comfortable chair on my back patio. This isn’t my normal spot to work, and right now I’m wondering why not!
I live in Texas and know that May is when temperatures start to climb. Soon, I will need the cool air from the A/C to maintain my concentration. But this morning, the temperature is perfect, the breezes are so pleasant, and the only sounds I hear besides my typing are the many birds who are enjoying this moment as much as I am.
God did not tell us very much about heaven, but I’ve often wondered what eternity will sound like when I arrive. Will I hear familiar voices? Will the angel’s praises fill the air? Will heaven have the joyful sounds of these birds calling to one another? What will heaven sound like?
According to C.S. Lewis, “In heaven, all that is not music is silence.” That is a quote from Screwtape Letters, his famous novel about the work of Satan in our world. What did C.S. Lewis mean? I enjoyed studying that answer!
What is the “music” of heaven?
Freelance journalist and author Erin Rebar wrote a wonderful article about Screwtape Letters. She explained the C.S. Lewis quote, “In heaven, all that is not music is silence,” in this way:
I love this quote because it feels so applicable to our modern world. The quote comes from a section in the novel where Screwtape is explaining to his nephew the importance of filling the world with Noise. Certainly, noise is everywhere these days, found in the honking of horns, the squealing of tires, the buzz of meaningless conversation, the endless binging of Netflix shows and the hours spent on Facebook. Noise doesn’t have to be merely auditory: in this context noise is whatever distracts us from the most important things in life and draws us away from God.
I had never considered the idea that in heaven, there will be nothing that can distract us from God. According to Rebar, there is no noise in heaven.
Stop and listen to your surroundings for a moment. What might be distracting your ears or your thoughts right now? Are you reading these words in a crowded room filled with voices? Are you reading in the quiet right now? Are you thinking about the rest of the day or reading with the TV on in the background?
Our world is a noisy place, just as Erin Rebar said. A lot of our noise isn’t perceived through our ears as much as it is heard in our thoughts. The sounds in heaven will be very different than the noises of earth.
The silence of heaven
We live in a day of 24/7 programming on our televisions, satellite radio in our cars, and endless podcasts to listen to, many of which can add value to our lives, but often don’t. The decision to be silent is the choice to step away from the noise in order to be alone with God’s thoughts.
Proverbs 17:27–28 (NIV) says, “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent and, discerning if they hold their tongues.” Our culture would greatly improve if we took this wisdom to heart. We have come to value the quantity of new ideas and their popularity rather than their quality.
Will Rogers said, “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” Lewis Carroll, in his famous novel Alice in Wonderland, wrote, “‘Really, now you ask me,’ said Alice, very much confused, ‘I don’t think——’ ‘Then you shouldn’t talk,’ said the Hatter.” And Leonardo DaVinci once said, “Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.”
There are many wonderful quotes from intelligent, creative people about the great value of remaining silent. Why then are we tempted to fill our lives with the sounds and noise of this world?
All that is not music is silence
If we want to find more of heaven on earth, maybe we should heed the wisdom of the biblical proverb. We can use our words with restraint, measuring our wisdom by the moments we remain silent. We can choose to “be still and know” who God is. Or, as Will Rogers said, “Never miss the good chance to shut up.”
There is a lot of power in learning to discern the noise of this world from the voice that God has placed within us through his Holy Spirit. Jesus comforted his disciples with the words in John 14:26 saying, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.”
If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, he might want to ask you, “How often do you consult the Holy Spirit during your day?” He might remind us that “his thoughts are not our thoughts.” He might want to encourage us by reminding us that we have a Helper.
The noise of earth will fade to silence
I don’t think there are very many things in heaven that will remind us of earth. The sounds, the smells, and the comforts of heaven cannot exist in the imperfections and noise of this world. I began typing this article with only the sounds of the birds as I enjoyed the morning quiet. Now, as I finish my thoughts, I can hear the increased traffic on the road outside. I heard the trashmen come, and I need to bring the can up from the street. My phone has interrupted my work three times since I began. That said, the birds are still singing in the trees. I’m still on my patio, enjoying some time to listen and type for God’s purpose.
I agree with Meister Eckhart, who wrote, “The very best and utmost attainment in this life is to remain still and let God act and speak in thee.” The sun is chasing me off my patio right now, but if I’m smart, I will take the blessed silence of this morning with me throughout this day.
How will you keep the noise of this world at bay today? How will you pursue the music and silence of heaven? For now, silence can draw us into the music of God’s voice. One day, we will know all the sounds of heaven as we live undistracted lives in God’s presence.
And all these birds around me are saying, “Amen to that!”
