Different parts, One Song

I am a student of support rhythms, there are no solo actions. Really, an accomplished drummer much farther along than myself would be a solo artist. I support others who play and I engage in corporate drumming. In my class there are 5 students and our teacher. Together we sound amazing (if I say so myself) as we play different parts which when paired in various ways bring out a life and energy that a solo drummer of our ability simply could not produce. My teacher informs us that together we border on concert readiness. After three sessions, we almost have two songs! o:)

Playing with the group not only holds a lot of responsibility (I must keep my part), it also holds the excitement that one has when working towards a common goal. But playing together ALSO means that a mistake could jeopardize the whole group. We have many beats and bell sounds that play off one another. If one person fails, it could throw the whole thing off. We can all play almost any of the parts independently. But when played together it becomes more difficult to sync it all up. It involves a ton of listening, focus, trusting, etc.

One of the more challenging parts to play has only a few notes repeated but it almost brought me to tears when trying to sync up. I overcame, thanks to a supportive class, but it proved to be my greatest challenge yet. I kept declaring how "it shouldn't be so difficult", as when playing by myself I could do it just fine. It was with the added drums and bells, that I found my rhythm lost and thus derailing our song. Despite the other sounds around me, I had to maintain my specific rhythm.

The other thing I find fascinating is how different drums can really add to various sounds. Sometimes we will silence three of the drums to pair two other ones together. If played solo, one drum may be uninteresting but when two of them are played together, a beautiful sound arises.

Every time we play a song together, we take an audiences attention away from a single drummer to the beauty of the song as a whole.

This all leads me to think about living for The Lord. We all have our roles to play which when we focus on individually may seem very mundane or unimportant. Oh the age old question, is the life I live have any importance? But when we play together, supporting one another in the shared Redemption song, we can see how different actions together can glorify the Lord. Since life isn't about us, and is all about pointing to the one who offers redemption to ALL, it makes sense that the roles we play must not only be intertwined with one another but in some ways very dependent. We need one another to play a better song and we must learn that the song we play is never about us. Playing solo is unnecessary when we have one another because together we can point to the truest masterpiece - Christ.

1 Corinthians 14:27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.

This I know

Another evening is here and I find it difficult to sleep again. It has been a typical pattern this week. The worries and concerns of life seem to place a heavy weight on me. My comfort in these times has been in my Pandora Radio. I listen to songs of truth, hope, and celebration of our great and mighty God.

I had a great day today and I am a little surprised to find myself here. Today was one of those overly happy days but even those feelings fade. I have bore the gambit of emotions this week from elation to sadness and just about everything in between. As a contemplative person, I seek to find the stability within all the emotions that interact with the facts, troubles, and blessings of any given day.

It is not uncommon to find me utilizing emotion to explain my understanding of the world. This is an error I seek to correct. For no emotion exemplifies a true reality. I know this because I have felt varying emotions for the exact same fact at different moments.

Facts can be skewed, troubles misunderstood, and blessings squandered. None of these things can define our day to day reality.

But upon reflection, I see one constant truth. God is near.

No matter where I've found myself this week, I know God is waiting to engage with me in it. There is nothing that can separate me from my God. He saw to that. He crossed the great divide to reach out to me and has since never left me. In fact, He calls me His own. I am His beloved.

At the end of the day, He is enough.

Truth worthy of Celebrating

Negative words and lies can bring us down but uplifting words and truth can spring forth new life. I think it's easy for us to listen to the lies of our own heart and the enemy of our souls. How many times do we forget who we are? It is easy to get trapped and forget that we are created by God. To those who trust in Christ, we have been given the right to be Children of God.

Children, loved by the Father are Always Accepted, Always Loved, and Always Secure. It's incredible really. I have this funny feeling that the Spirit constantly speaks this truth to us but we so often fail to listen. Sometimes, like an unexpected text from a friend, my heart has an understanding that springs forth this truth loudly.

Tonight I was brushing my teeth and hit suddenly with the reminder that I am loved because I'm His kid. His acceptance of me is beyond reason and not based upon my actions. Belonging to Him trumps every other identity I hold or will ever hold. It is enough.

I cannot tell you how much I love it when an ordinary moment of life holds grand reminders. What a beautiful life we have been offered and given. If you are reading this, I pray you hear the reminders that are spoken directly to You!

Happy Birthday Peter!

Well, it's been another year, so Peter you would be another year older. Had you lived, you would be 34 years old. And as your baby sister, I would be forced to harass you about this. :) It crossed my mind the other day and I thought the Beckman siblings are getting older. It wasn't so long that we shared a home together. Of course, I do not remember this as you had to leave us 6 months after my birth. But still, for six months we shared our home with Jill, mom, and dad. No one can take that away and you will always be my brother. :o)

I can't let this day pass without throwing a random shout out into the internet universe to you. I love you bro. Happy Birthday!