Finding Joy in God Again

Scripture: "David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the LORD with all his might ..." (2 Samuel 6:14)

At the beginning of every year, I always look forward and think to myself, "I want a deeper relationship with God." It's sort of a "new year's resolution", but not really. But it is a goal as I reflect on the past year after the horns stop blowing, the punch is gone, pizza boxes lie empty and strewn across the living room and the clock ticks over to 12:01 AM on January 1st.

I know what it takes to draw closer to God: spend more time reading the bible, in meditation, prayer, listening to worship music; basically spending time with Him. But I've written over and over how life gets in the way.

But then something really great happened to me this year. I have rediscovered my passion for playing the drums ~ and not just playing the drums for the sake of playing them ~ but I get to play worship music ~ music for the Lord! And my passion only returned about a week ago. Before, I was just practicing. And sometimes I avoided it. But then something clicked in me, and I know in order to play for church on Sundays, I have to practice. No one cares how "good" I play. But I desire to do well, because I am on the Lord's business, a part of a team leading our church into worship. If I'm going to be a part of a bigger picture, I realize I'm going to need the Lord's help!

In finding my joy in playing again, I am experiencing a rebirth of my relationship with God. I listen to CDs, I practice playing to them, I sing along as I play, and I feel the lyrics and the music permeate every fiber of my soul, and I LOVE it!! And boy do I PRAY!

I feel my relationship with God growing stronger as I spend more alone time with Him, listening to edifying music and rehearsing with my band mates. I was given a gift beyond playing drums for my church, which is something I always wanted to do. But I feel God fulfilled my desire to draw closer to Him by helping me focus on something I could draw closer to Him with.

So I share this experience with you, because I would like to encourage you to ask the Lord to show you something in your life you can focus on and develop a stronger relationship with Christ. I would have never thought playing drums would uplift my spirits and draw me closer to Him.

Oh, the joy David must have felt when he danced for the Lord!! Unhindered in his worship, abandoned to the moment. What a glorious moment! No one wants to see me dance. Or hear me sing. Believe me. But I hope to be the best drummer God wants me to be.

Prayer: Lord, help us to find that "special something" in our lives that we can turn our focus to you daily. Help us to make time for You and strengthen our relationship with You. Help us to find that JOY in You, that we once had when we first became Christians. Help us to find our passion in You once more. Amen.