The Heilingenstadt Testament was a personal letter written by the great virtuoso Beethoven on October 6th, 1802 to his two brothers. The letter was discovered after his death and as a result, we know the composer had at one period in his life considered committing suicide.
At the height of Beethoven’s fame and skills, the composer began to lose his hearing. In this testament letter, Beethoven writes of shame and despair as his hearing severely declined; describing it as the worst thing that could befall a musician, especially a musician of his caliber. It was a difficult time for the composer. Many did not know of Beethoven’s affliction and as a result judged him as an isolated, bitter, and angry person.
In the Helingenstadt Testament, Beethoven cautions his brothers and writes, “…Recommend virtue to your children; it alone, not money, can make them happy. I speak from experience; this was what upheld me in time of misery. Thanks to it and to my art, I did not end my life by suicide”.
Beethoven would go on to compose some of his greatest masterpieces after this period in his life. Of which include the famous 9th Symphony.
One of the greatest teachings that Jesus Christ gave was the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). The sermon includes the famous “Beatitudes”. There are eight beatitudes in total and each its own reward, for those who possess the required virtues.
While the virtues described in the Beatitudes serve mainly as character guides for the believer on the path of salvation, they are also virtues that offer peace to the believer while on earth especially in times of great trials and tribulation.
Trials and Tribulations seek to expose who we are inside.
And our response to these challenges are what define us. The first beatitude Christ addresses and quite possibly the foundation upon which every other virtue is built on, is humility. “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.” Poor in spirit refers to humility. Humility can be likened to submission.
Submission is a word many of us do not like. Nevertheless, it is a foundational virtue taught and demonstrated by Jesus Christ on many occasions. On Christ’s humility, the bible says,
“…And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” –Philippians 2:8
As Christ followers we are called to submit ourselves completely over to God’s will. There’s to be no holding back. And when the worst things befall us, the virtue of humility reminds us that we are in his hands and that he will see us through (I Corinthians 10:13). In life and in death, he will see you through.