Digging Deeper and Deeper

It would have been easy to accept what others had assumed, but Bela Bartuk had a passion to know more. To dig deeper. Born in Hungary in March 1881, he had heard assumptions about folk songs in his native land. These were the songs played and heard over the centuries by common people, who lived in the mountains and other remote areas.

Then in 1905, Bartuk heard authentic Hungarian folk songs for the first time. It was a life-changing moment. He was overwhelmed by the emotion and diversity of these songs. They were nothing like the stereotypic sounds he had been told about.

Driven to learn more, Bartuk made several excursions into the countryside. More than just collecting songs and studying, BartÛk began incorporating the elements he discovered into his own compositions.

The impact was dramatic. Bartuk’s music gained a dimension previously absent. Inspired by what had been considered old, he began writing in new ways. He also began approaching musical instruments differently. For example, his piano compositions were filled with waves of unprecedented energy and color.

In spiritual matters, many people live on the surface, just accepting what others have told them. But the Bible encourages us to dig deeper, like the woman in Jesus parable who did everything she could to find a lost coin.

Today, ask God to give a greater passion for the deeper things. Study the Word. Seek the truth. Pray with passion.