The Little Drummer

When you sing The Little Drummer Boy in church, and you’re wrecked…

I want my heart to be like rich, tilled soil. Ready for God’s Word, ready for God’s will. At least that’s what I tell myself. And then, this simple, song with its annoying pa rum pum pum pums challenges my obedience. And my heart sees itself and is ashamed. You see, this young boy’s heart had to worship the King. It wouldn’t rest until it had spent itself adoring Him. He yearned to bring a gift to the Almighty and was grieved at his empty hands. But even that wouldn’t stop him, so he gave the only thing he had, his talents.

Oh, oh, oh. God, in His generosity to us has given us gifts, that we would have something to give! And I stood there, tears streaming, convicted, empty handed. I’ve not been using the gifts God has so graciously given to me, so today I have nothing to lay before the King…

Then Pastor Ryan challenges us to weigh our view of greatness against the Word of God, specifically in the life of John the Baptizer. The one of whom it was said “he will be great before God.” John, the one that wore animal skin, ate locust, lived in the wilderness, was ill-concerned about social skills or fitting in. In fact he had one agenda, fulfilling God’s call on his life. Use the gift he’d been given. Beat his drum.

And I, with busy-ness abounding, have set my drum aside to run here and there, do this and that, all the while the hours and days slip away. And now I find myself rumpa pa pumming, empty handed with tears streaming down my face. And I must repent. Turn back and pick up and use my gift so that I will have something to lay at the feet of the King, the One whom my heart adores. And I ask for an opportunity this very day to use share the gift. And as He is always faithful, not once, but twice, He made a way, and I so grateful for His redemption, eagerly engaged each one, using the gifts God has entrusted to me, that I might have something to bring before the King, a token of my love and adoration.

I pray that my transparency encourages you to pick up your drum today and to play…

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