Wednesday, July 1st, 2009 "Play That Funky Music"

Tsunami Ministries Devotional by Steve Keaton

Wednesday, July 1^st, 2009

Title: Play That Funky Music

Text: Psalm 98:4 (NIV)
⁴ Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music

Well it is official. I am finally learning to play the guitar. I figured I would go ahead and make my official announcement so that all of you can help hold me accountable as I try to accomplish something that I have been trying to master for many years now. I mean, what kind of youth pastor doesn’t know how to play the guitar? It is just one of those assumed talents that many people think about once they find out that a person works with youth for a living. Plus, I have always wanted to lead a small group in a fireside rendition of “Kumbaya”.

Last week I was at the beach with some of my youth for our annual beach retreat. I was challenged by one of my amazing youth to bring my guitar with me and that she, along with several other highly talented individuals, would assist me as I took my first few baby steps on the road toward becoming a true guitar player. Now, I have never dreamt of being an Eddie Van Halen or Slash from Guns & Roses (If you are asking yourself who those guys are, please be kind enough not to ask me. Remember, I’m just a feeble, old youth guy.) but I would like to be able to step in a lead music when necessary. Anyway, each morning as we’d roll out of our beds, mine was an ever-deflating air mattress, a group of us would make our way to the back porch of our ocean-front house perched nicely overlooking the ocean in North Myrtle Beach. We would all sit back, drink coffee and the others would patiently teach me how to play some of the chords. These people certainly earned a few extra jewels in their heavenly crowns. Slowly I was able to con my brain into forcing my fingers to twist into the yoga-like positions it took to play the chords I was attempting to learn. I know that it was ugly and often painful for those sitting on the porch with us. And I know it was agonizing or the poor, elderly lady who was always on the porch of the house beside us. I know this because the look of pain on her face was a true giveaway.

Even though the music was rough, the people who were taking the time to teach me were always very kind and patient with me, and once one of them simply looked at me with pity in their eyes and said, “You’re doing great. Just keep working hard and you’ll soon be making music.” Those words have rang through my head over and over again since that moment. And everyday as I reach over and pick up my guitar I just keep telling myself those very same words. “Steve, just keep working hard and you will soon be making music.”

Don’t those same words apply to other areas of our lives? I sure think they do. I think about the work that we all have the opportunity to take on. Everything from our daily chores to, the school work of my students, to the full-time jobs we tackle for a living, to all the other things we are committed to. Are we really working hard, giving our best, and pushing through the adversity until we finally hear something quite special. Music! The joyful noise that our lives can make as an offering toward God. I can just picture God looking down at us and encouraging us with those same kind words. “You’re doing great. Just keep working hard and you’ll soon be making music.”

So join me on my quest to not only master the guitar, but strum the strings of our lives and accomplish something very special. While doing so we can all join in the music of the deserved celebration of the wonderful, grace-filled God that loves us more than we could ever imagine. Who said you can’t teach an old dog, new tricks? Now if you will pardon me. I need to get back to practice. Kumbaya isn’t going to play itself.

Something to Think About:

• What kind of music are you making with your life?
• Does the music your life makes shout for joy to the Lord? How?
• How can the music you are making with your life encourage others to keep working hard to make their own music for God?

A Few Minutes with God:

God, beautiful music is the least I can do to show my adoration and love of you. You have blessed me so much. I will strive to keep working hard to play even more beautiful music for you. I pray that through this not only will you be honored and glorified but others will join me in this journey to shout for joy to you. Amen.