Lessons from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Determination
Young Johann Sebastian Bach was only 20 years old when he decided he must hear Buxtehude play music LIVE!
So who was Dietrich Buxtehude?
I did a little research and here’s a bit about Buxtehude:
– a Danish-German organist and composer of church music
– one of the most brilliant, esteemed and influential composers of his time
– His organ works represent a central part of the standard organ repertoire and are frequently performed at recitals and in church services.
– Born in 1637 and died in 1707
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What would YOU do if you were Bach?Buxtehude’s concert was however held in another city, far far way from where Bach lived.
Bach lived in Arnstadt and Buxtehude’s concert was held in Lubeck.
Lubeck was not just some ten miles away.
It was in fact around 250 miles away!
That’s about 400 km!
Bach would love to get on the train to get there, but alas, he couldn’t afford to buy the tickets at the time!
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Now, what would YOU do if you were Bach?
What would our kids do in such a situation?
Feel disappointed and not go?
Give up?
Bach decided that he would WALK the 400 kilometres distance to get to Buxtehude and hear him play music, LIVE!
Lubeck was in fact some 250 miles awayAnd Bach did walk all the way for days to watch the two-hour concert.
Was it worth the walk?
Yes, it was.
At least to Bach it was.
Bach saw the precious opportunity that he must not miss, and he did all that he could. He did what we would probably never think of doing!
Talk about determination and grabbing precious opportunities with all your might and energy!
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Young Bach was indeed inspired by Buxtehude’s concert.
It was life changing and had a huge impact on Bach’s music.
And Bach today, as most of us know, is recognised as this famous German composer and musician of the Baroque period, perhaps the greatest composer of all time!
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Lessons I learned:
Always, always carefully assess opportunities, and see which ones are worth our energy, time and even money, and which ones are not.
Ask for wisdom from God, so we don’t miss out on the precious ones.
Learn to NEVER let inconveniences or difficulties hinder us from grabbing precious opportunitiesLearn to NEVER let inconveniences or difficulties hinder us from pursuing or grabbing precious opportunities.
Don’t easily complain and give up when faced with difficulties.
(This is especially tougher to do now that we live in an era where most things are instant and convenient, where many parents shelter their children from discomfort and life’s inconveniences. I feel we seriously need to train ourselves and our children even more on this ‘life skill’)
If it’s truly precious, it is worth our sacrificeIf it’s truly precious, it is worth our sacrifice, and for sure we will not regret going for it.
These are lessons I will definitely share with my kids.
