An Audience of One
A few interesting emails have gone between my father and me since writing the post below, and so these are just a few follow up thoughts.
In one of the emails, Dad said something that got me thinking.
This is the part:
‘Air on a G String’ is probably the most famous movement of his Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 (out of six), and you are absolutely correct in saying, that Johann Sebastian Bach created his music exclusively out of his devotion and his worship for God. Apart from the quality, the depth and the discipline of his music – to him nothing else mattered. He was not interested in how his music might be perceived by the general public. He composed for God and his son alone. Some of his Cantatas composed towards the end of his life appear to be nothing but a dialogue between him and his maker.’
It was the last part.
‘He composed for God and his son alone …’
And,
‘Some of his Cantatas composed towards the end of his life appear to be nothing but a dialogue between him and his maker.’
I imagined the beauty of this. That what Bach composed was an expression, and it was intended for God. And in turn, that God answered him, and inspired even more of the beauty we sense in his music.
A dialogue with God. I love this thought.
And then, this,
‘….to him nothing else mattered. He was not interested in how his music might be perceived by the general public.’
I thought about the freedom of this, and the humility.
How easy it is to get tangled up in thoughts of what others may think of us, to fear what others may think, to try and impress even; and yet this point reminded me that God alone is the One whose opinion matters. That our audience is not those around us, but the One whose throne is Heaven, and whose footstool is the earth Acts 7:49. The One who ‘has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS’ Rev.19:16.
And I imagine the joy it must give God. A heart most concerned with His pleasure and His glory, and using all that He has given us to that end.
I must keep my mind on Him alone. Others’ opinions are not what matter most. As I live my life, whatever I compose will be for an audience of One. That’s devotion…if I will only remember.
On a side note: I’ve been thinking of what tomorrow will bring for you. In the middle of my night I awoke with you on my mind…so I prayed. Not at all sure what was up but felt I needed to intercede for you. Hope you are well. He is in control. Love you xo
Thanks so much for your prayer Michelle, it’s really appreciated
I’ll email you, lots of love xo
I loved this post. A humble man, doing great things for God. I wish we saw that more on our generation…
Now if you didn’t already have motivation for your book, now you do.
Happy Thanksgiving Birgit – to you and Michael.
Thanks Birgit for this reminder, that it is for God alone, everything that we do and everything that we are at the end of the day our lives should be like a symphony to Him alone. Wow, what a thought! Lots of blessings your way…
Hi Tawny, I love that too
, seeing how God uses a life, and works through the gifts He has given, as we come humbly and willingly to Him. Lots of blessings to you xo
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Ha, ha! Very encouraging Hope
. And thank you for your lovely Thanksgiving wishes. I have to admit, I didn’t realise at first that there are different Thanksgiving dates in Canada and America 
Thanks so much for your blessing, and I hope you and your family had a wonderful, blessed Thanksgiving too! ox
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That’s so beautifully put, Rain, “… a symphony to Him alone.” I so often get distracted from this, but you’re so right, what a thought! And what rest there is in knowing that
Lots of love to you ox
The Audience of One – wow. Such truth. In this communication saturated era it is hard to concentrate our attention only upon pleasing God. As a writer how does this concept play out in your life? Considering the creative connection you have with Bach how can this principle of dedication to One be transferred to the act of writing stories designed for others to read?
I don’t ask to be contrary or defiant. I agree that dedication is of utmost importance. I ask simply to discuss. (I come back to read the comments.)
Really interesting questions @ngie, thank you for asking. This is when I wish we could meet up for a coffee and chat in person
How does the concept of an ‘Audience of One’ play out in my life as a writer?
I guess at the heart of what I am trying to do with my writing is the hope that ultimately, whatever I create is for God Himself. His glory. His Kingdom being furthered in some small way. That’s my motivation anyway, my hope.
So it’s not so much about trying to develop a career as trying to honour God in the way that I feel He’s leading, if that makes sense?
I’m also extremely dependent on God for His inspiration and help, but I guess that’s another topic
And how is this dedication to One played out in writing stories that are for others to read?
This is a great point you raise here, because the end hope with writing, is that others will read what you’ve written. So how is a dedication to God played out in writing designed for others? For me, it’s trying to hear from God about what it is that He would have me say. To try and allow the Holy Spirit to reign in all parts of the process – the inspiration and planning, the writing and re-writing – and I haven’t got beyond that yet
It’s hard because I get side-tracked at times. It’s hard because it may mean that what I say is not popular or requires me to be extremely vulnerable. Ultimately though, if it is what God wants, then I trust that He has just the person or people in mind that He will want to read it, and that something very good will come of it in His purposes.
I’d love to know your thoughts about anything I’ve said here.
With love xo
Yes, a face to face chat would be ideal in this instance.
Thank you for responding to my questions. The whole process being bathed in the flow of the Holy Spirit is a way to keep things ‘pure and holy’ as a writer.
There exists an age old debate about creativity. Does the artist influence culture or does the culture influence the artist? Who shapes the other? In the end I am sure it is a bit of both. Though, I lean towards the idea that the artists play a crucial role in shaping culture. This is along the line of the audience of One. Here is how.
I think about the Old Testament and the culture that God desired to create calling it ‘My people’. If His people were going to live by His ways he would need to influence them. He chose to work through the creative bowels of a family. He took Abraham to the shore and painted an image using grains of sand. He took him to the vastness of the extravagant and incomprehensible starry night (which bests any laser light show any night). Rather than saying: so will be your army or your servants or your citizens, He said, “So will be your descendants.”
God continues to create this culture through the voice of the prophets. I have heard it said that the prophetic and the poetic go hand in hand. They had a way with words. Instead of making pragmatic timelines and prognostic projections charts they spoke in imagery and sometimes even acted out the message. Again, the creative process involved in communicating the important points.
The bible itself is chalk full of stories. If you don’t read it as a story you are missing the big picture.
I think about God giving instructions for the tabernacles and temples. He declared that only the best artisans be contracted, He required only the best materials, and employed many artistic elements including: color, design, shape, proportions, line, etc.
My wordiness causes me to refrain from elaborating on the Psalter, his son and the other musical saturation throughout the Word since before the beginning of time.
I do feel it is important to note that the parables of Jesus call upon the imaginative faculties of the individual. We can follow this pattern as storytellers.
To me is it thrilling to know that as a creative person I am connected to you, to Bach, to Jesus, to the Prophets, to the Psalter, to the Church Fathers and to God Himself. Humbly recognizing that connection is the best way I know of having an Audience of One. Our Audience of One has included ALL creation as His audience. As we allow Him to flow through us in the whole process He is our Audience and creation hears / sees / touches / and is moved by Him.
Let us continue to write. Let us continue to photograph. Let us continue to sing. Let us continue to act. Let us continue to dance. Let us continue to compose. Let us continue to bring Glory to God.
(how’s that for a cup of coffee?
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