Day 363 JJ and SDG

Did you know that Johann Sebastian Bach wrote the letters “JJ” at the beginning of his scores and the letters “SDG” at the end. What did they mean?

JJ stood for the Latin Jesu Juva, which means “Help o Jesus.” So, at the beginning of creating his music, Bach was requesting divine help. SDG stood for the Latin Soli Deo Gloria, which means, “To God alone glory.” At the end of creating his music, Bach acknowledged and gave thanks to God.

Bach was an extremely gifted composer but even with his great talents, he had the habit of asking for Jesus’ help as he began his work and then gave thanks to God when he was finished. That's being really intentional about including God in all you do.

I think it would have been easy for a person with Bach’s giftedness to take God’s role in their work for granted—to begin to rely on himself and think that it was all on him in a job well done. If a person of Bach’s talent and giftedness made it a habit to ask for God’s help and to give God thanks, how much more should we do the same?

In the end, it's to our benefit to be reminded that we are dependent upon the Lord for everything. We really do need His help! We also benefit from giving thanks to God. It gives us needed perspective to understand that all we accomplish is from God’s gracious hand.

You started this year saying "Help o Jesus" and worked it through each day depending on him for effectiveness and safety. Your work in PNM was a masterpiece, music to God's ears. Take some time in the coming weeks to thank him for your learning and experiences this year, and listening for his leading in the coming challenges.

"To God alone glory!"