You don’t often hear men use the word ‘joy.’ Can you imagine if you were watching a football game with your buddies and you said, “Man, if the Giants score right now, I will be filled with such joy!”
You’d probably be kicked out of the house.
But it’s not a word men should be afraid to use, especially with regard to our faith. What is it that brings me joy? I play the drums in one of our church praise teams. It’s not an easy thing to do, and that goes for any member of the praise team. We routinely give anywhere from 6-8 hours of our time every other week to that ministry. It doesn’t sound like a lot, but there’s rehearsal on Tuesday that lasts anywhere from 90 minutes to two hours. We arrive at church on Saturday at 4:30 to rehearse and we’re there for two hours. Then we come in at 8:30am on Sunday and we’re there for four hours. Giving that much time to ministry in the church is pretty significant.
But to me it doesn’t matter. There is no greater joy I have at church than helping to lead people in worship. It is so much fun. And in that, not only do I get to lead people in worship, but I also get to worship at the same time. When I play, I am playing before God. In addition, I have the privilege of serving in a church where the Pastor and Worship Pastor are willing to step outside the box with music. Some of what we play would be unheard of in other churches. We have members now who think we’re playing music that is nothing but “noise” and there are people who would think that such music would not be pleasing to the Lord. I completely disagree. 1 Chronicles 13:8 says:
“Then David and all Israel played music before God with all their might, with singing, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on cymbals, and with trumpets.”
All their might! That’s an amazing thing and I am blessed to play with all my might every Saturday and Sunday.
There is a joy in all of it for me. What helps me so much musically is that I am surrounded by people much more talented than I am. Of course, God is always there for me. I am thankful that no matter what happens on Tuesday, God helps me work things out over the weekend.
Psalm 5:11
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
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