Freedom in the Spirit

Scripture: "The trumpeters and singers joined in unison, as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang, "He is good; his love endures forever." (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)

Some of you may remember that I play drums in one of the worship teams at my church. The bass player and I are still working on our skill set on our instruments, and learning to take Sunday worship in stride, as we are still new to playing in front of others. But last Sunday I had one of those "a-ha" moments with God.

I was very nervous, since we've only played in front of the congregation on a few occasions. But just before we played for the first of the two services, I felt an unusual peace surround me. I believe this peace came from two realizations I had that finally sunk deep into my heart, and made the transition from just "head knowledge" to "heart knowledge." The first thought was, this isn't a "performance", so if I were to mess up, miss a beat or two or make any mistakes, I was playing FOR GOD. And no matter what happened during worship, I was playing my best for HIM. Of course I want to do well, what musician doesn't? But I walked into church with the attitude that I was going to "Make a joyful noise unto the LORD". (Psalm 100:1) What truly mattered that I was going to play my drums FOR HIM, and do my best FOR HIM.

The second realization was that - should I make any mistakes, the congregation likely wouldn't even notice. I've been in the congregation when my friends would come off stage and say, "Oh wow, did you hear that wrong key? Did you hear us speed up at the end? Did you hear me totally lose my place?" And most the time, no one outside the band even noticed. Why? Because we were too busy worshiping and praising God!! And right behind the heels of this initial thought is that, even when the congregation DOES notice, it doesn't matter. We have a gracious congregation that will ride it out until the band rights itself, because, after all, it isn't about the band.

I found so much freedom in knowing I was playing for my Lord, and He was going to love me no matter what, and I would disappoint no one. I don't have a perfectionist attitude, but freedom to play, and if I mess up, I can laugh and make it right, because there is no condemnation in heaven or on earth for any errors along the way.

With that new sense of freedom, I not only played for God, but I entered into worship in a way that I would have - had I been sitting (off stage) with the congregation. I sang, I sort of danced behind the drums, I had so much joy playing for Him I forgot about everything else. And during the last few songs, I felt His presence about me in a strong and comforting way that I even had tears forming at the corners of my eyes!! God met me right where I was! It was amazing! My bandmates felt His presence too, I would later find out!

Our own lives are kind of like that. Being a Christian is HARD. Like me playing the drums, it's hard work, sometimes I fall out of practice. But I get behind them again and work at it all over again. Sometimes I mess up, sometimes I nail every beat perfectly. But with the Holy Spirit by our sides at all times, we can't go wrong. There is no condemnation in the struggle of being Christ-like. We stumble, we fall, and sometimes, we do everything just right. But God is looking down at us and smiling, because in the end, only HE matters; not what the world says or thinks, and that is what is really important in our lives!

Prayer request: That others may find freedom from their struggles and to allow God to do a mighty work in their lives, make Himself known to them, reveal Himself in a new way.

Prayer: Lord, we come to you with humble hearts and ask You to free our brothers and sisters from anything that is holding them back from having a full and close relationship with You. Break the shackles around their hearts and spirits and bring freedom in their lives in a new way. Amen