Staying in Step

When that walking drum beats differently than the rhythm of the people and media input around us - we have a choice to make. To which drum rhythm will I listen?  To which rhythm do I walk?

We can walk according to the rhythm to which everyone else walks - and see the results that everyone else sees - or we can walk to the rhythm of a drum that beats differently than the rest.  It may mean that we look different, too. It may mean that we do not fit with those that walk the same as everyone else.  But in the end - we are rewarded by the Eternal God of Heaven according to whose rhythm we followed? To whose drum beat did we listen?

They sound very different from each other.   One is comfortable and fits well with our natural gait  -the other, we have to get used to because it causes us to change the pattern of walk.  We discover that the direction that drum takes us does not head down an easy path.

One path may seem more fun and filled with more adventure and the other may seem like it is the safe and secure and (dare I say it?) boring!  But what is incredible is when we follow the rhythm that God sets out there is more adventure, excitement and risk than one could ever imagine because in God's hands you NEVER know where He may take you next but you CAN know that He is there with you and waiting for you at the end!
Galatians 5 tells us about this... it says that our normal nature (our sin nature with which we are born) is constantly in a battle of rhythms with the Holy Spirit that lives in the heart of every believer (which we receive permanently when we yield our lives to Jesus' lordship).

The NIV describes it in terms that are understandable and yet distant enough to not feel personal to me:

Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)
¹⁹ The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery;
²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But The Message (paraphrase) brings it home to my heart...

Galatians 5:19-21 (MSG)
¹⁹ It is obvious what kind of life develops out of trying to get your own way all the time: repetitive, loveless, cheap sex; a stinking accumulation of mental and emotional garbage; frenzied and joyless grabs for happiness;
²⁰ trinket gods; magic-show religion; paranoid loneliness; cutthroat competition; all-consuming-yet-never-satisfied wants; a brutal temper; an impotence to love or be loved; divided homes and divided lives; small-minded and lopsided pursuits;
²¹ the vicious habit of depersonalizing everyone into a rival; uncontrolled and uncontrollable addictions; ugly parodies of community. I could go on. This isn't the first time I have warned you, you know. If you use your freedom this way, you will not inherit God's kingdom.

So what do I do with this?  Read on (I love it when bad and negative information in Scripture is followed with the word "but"):

Galatians 5:22-25 (NIV)
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Even better - look at The Message for verse 25

Galatians 5:25 (MSG)
²⁵ Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives.

The drum beat of the drum to which you walk may sound different than your friend's drum beat but if you follow the drum beat that keeps you in step with the Holy Spirit of God - you are on the right rhythm. Choose your rhythm carefully and courageously.  Staying in step with the Spirit is not for the faint of heart.

Marching to a Different Drum

Why is it that the principles of life as we see them through human lenses and logic work so differently than the principles of life as God desires through His lens and logic? God calls us to march to the beat of a different drum than the world in EVERY area of life.   Do it!

We say, "Stand up for yourself" 

God says, "Wait upon Me and let Me make it clear"  (Psalm 37:1-9)

We say, "Take control of your life"

God says, "Stop it - You keep messing things up when you are in control. Trust me to lead in My time." (2 Corinthians 11:30 and 12:7-10) 

We say, "Be responsible. Pay your bills, put money in savings, plan ahead. Then give back to God from a generous heart from the extra that He has given you. Around 10% or so - if you can."

God says, "Trust me first, stop trusting in your own understanding of life. Willingly and joyfully give to Me first, then watch - JUST WATCH - what I can do with the rest. I will supply."  (Proverbs 3:1-10)

We say, "Put your family first and invest in them above all else because they are your legacy."

God says, "Invest time in your relationship with Me first.  Set your heart on Me and my Word first.  Build this relationship first and all the other things will follow."  (Psalm 119; Col. 3:1-4; Phil. 3:7-14)

We say, "Don't worry - your confidence will grow."

God says, "YOUR confidence in yourself and your abilities is a deterrent from My work in your life.  Self Confidence is not a good thing.  Your confidence should be in Me and Me alone."  (Phil. 3:1-6) 

God's plan, His economy, His logic, His empowerment... It is based so completely in our absolute, unquestioning and unabashed trust in Him that it looks completely ridiculous in the eyes of our friends and families and the world around us.  We literally will look STUPID in the eyes of others when we live in an ALL out trust relationship with the God of the universe!

But - there is no better place to be than right smack dab in the middle of the palm of the Hand of God. No better place.  Get there. Start marching today to the beat that is in your heart.