The Heart of a Drummer Boy

There is no question that I am a HUGE fan of Christmas music. I especially love the more touching ballad type songs like O Come All Ye Faithful and Holy Night. Something about the words describing the true meaning of Christmas that speak to my soul. Maybe it's the sentiment of the season, or maybe I have just had one to many eggnog lattes, but this week I surprised myself by tearing up at a not so typically emotional Christmas song - The Little Drummer Boy. These lyrics in particular:

Little Baby
Pa rum pum pum pum
I am a poor boy too,
Pa rum pum pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rum pum pum pum
That's fit to give our King
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Shall I play for you!
Pa rum pum pum
On my drum.

Mary nodded
Pa rum pum pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rum pum pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rum pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Rum pum pum pum
Then He smiled at me
Pa rum pum pum pum
Me and my drum.

I guess it is something about the imagery of that poor little boy coming before baby Jesus. He was not dressed to impress, did not come bearing gifts of gold or other monetary worth. He just came as he was to worship his new king. He gave the gift he had to give, a song of worship on his drum. Isn't that what Jesus wants from all of us? To come before him just as we are. It isn't about what others can do. I don't see the Drummer Boy measuring himself against the wise men in this scenario. It's about offering up the very best gift that we have to give, as humble as that my appear.

"Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come before him: worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (1 Chronicles 16:29)

My prayer this Christmas season and beyond is that I develop the heart of the drummer boy - that I would come just as I am to worship my king, offering the best of what I have been given with no concern for how that measures up to anyone else.

A willing heart

As I am approaching the end of the Ruth study I am leading in my women's small group, I can see God shining a spot light on my life and asking me to examine what I see. Am I willing to do more than read about it and discuss it? Am I willing to live what I know to be right and true?

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)

Kelly Minter (author of the book we are studying) puts it perfectly into perspective when she says, "One of the most tragic ways for a Christian to spend her life is to be in the right place with all the right resources but without a willing heart." Ouch - this one speaks to me. I can say that I am probably in that place right at this moment. I know what I need to do, I am being given the opportunity yet I am stalling because I can't get my heart on board.

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. (Ephesians 4:1)

I don't know what's worse...that I am in this place or that I KNOW I am in this place and still can't seem to make a decision. It shouldn't be such a battle. A battle between my flesh and God's will. Ultimately, if I want to follow him I should desire the things he does. I should desire his will. And I should want it in my heart. But I guess that response isn't always easy or automatic. This is when I make a decision. Do I give in to my flesh or do I press harder into God and dig further into his word until my heart chooses to obey? Until my heart longs for the things he longs for.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)

I know the answer. I choose him. It's not the easy choice even though it should be. It would be easier to react to what I am feeling at this moment. But I want to live the life I was called to live and that means rising above what I feel. I know that he chooses me each and every day. He knew my name before there was time, he loves me when I am at my most unlovable, through him I am saved. So I choose him. One.day.at.a.time. And I know my heart will follow.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. (Psalm 25:5)