Many times we think of music as being solely an output. The musician makes music themselves – they don’t need to listen! Well, unless they’re playing with others, or are part of a complete service.
Once, sitting at the piano in the corner of the front stage area, I was trying to find the invitation hymn in the hymnbook while the pastor was praying at the end of his sermon. I had not gotten the music out and ready earlier, and we would start singing the hymn as soon as the prayer was over, so I was in a bit of a rush. But the hymnbook was heavy, and I was sitting at the piano bench right in front of the keys.
I accidentally dropped the hymnbook and hit the keys, loudly playing a note. Very loudly.
Fortunately, just a single note – I somehow didn’t drop the entire book on the piano. I don’t know how many eyes snapped open to peek at me during that prayer. I tried to avoid looking.
I really didn’t mean to play a note, and wasn’t trying to make myself heard, but there’s a reason for that expression: “Tooting their own horn.” Musicians may have a tendency to try and play louder than everyone else. Maybe. And people may have a tendency to be too busy talking themselves to listen to anyone else. Listening is a major part of being a musician. And listening should be a major part of being in a conversation, whether in prayer to God, or in talking with other people.
We need to be aware of possible distraction when listening to others, and constantly refocus our thoughts on what the other person is saying. Consider how Jesus paid attention to the people He encountered. He didn’t constantly tell them what to do and how to behave. He asked them questions. He listened to them. He wanted them to feel heard. Just as we want to be heard when we talk to God. Perhaps distraction can be conquered by that simple focus: let others feel heard by us, and know that God hears us.
I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.
Psalm 116:1-2