I play the drums. I'm not the best in the world, but I enjoy it and usually do a good enough job. Normally, when I play at church, I am located in the back corner behind some clear drum screens, to keep the sound more controllable. These last two weeks I have played in the centre of the stage with no screens! Now this is every drummers ideal position, right in the action, close to the other band members, really feeling the music. I just love it, and it sounds better to most people. Whether the drums stay there or not is not up to me, it's up to the leadership team. And i will be completely happy with whatever decision they make! Of course I have a preference, but the Big Picture should always take priority over an individual's preferences, so I hold on lightly to them. If everyone got what they wanted then life would be a shambles! So if God entrusts certain individuals with leadership, then we should support them 100%. I love my leaders, they are awesome!
So the whole drum screen / positioning thing made me think. Today, I have received, texts, email and facebook messages, and about a dozen people telling me how well i played today. Firstly, thanks, as long as you are worshipping God and not the musicians, I will continue to play like I do, but if you are just enjoying the show, I don't want to play any more! Go watch U2 or something. I don't play for attention, I play to give God attention. But anyway. To all these people complimenting me: I am just playing exactly like I have done for years! The only difference is that now you can see and hear me!
When we take down our walls in life, the same principle applies! We are all awesome people inside, but we hide in the corner with walls up and people never get to see how awesome we are! As soon as my walls were removed, scores of people loved my drumming. But i have always drummed like that! The only difference is that I have let my walls down, so people could see the real me!
I wonder what walls you have in life that you hide behind? Humour, hiding in the corner, intellect, talking too much, talking too little, anger, trying to please everyone all the time, being a religious stiff...
You are still you on the inside, like you have always been! but you may be hiding it. Try letting your walls down and see what may happen! Shock horror, people may actually like what they see! And if they don't, who cares! Someone will like you! And besides, what other people think about you is none of your business anyway!
