Watch Me for the Changes

Have you ever been to a concert and you find yourself standing (because let’s face it–you don’t sit at a concert) next to the guy/gal with no rhythm? Everyone is clapping on the back beat of 2 and 4 and they are clapping on the downbeat 1 and 3. Everyone is swaying their hands right to left and they are swaying left to right. Everyone is screaming out “Freebird” and they are chanting out “Stairway.” BTW, both are perfectly acceptable songs, but you should know who’s on stage, there is a difference between Skynyrd and Zeppelin. And finally, when you are throwing your hands in the air like you just don’t care, they are wearing the T-shirt of the band you are going to see. Save that nonsense for sporting events, not concerts.

I have always been a fan of music, and I come by it naturally. My family introduced me to music long before my 3^rd grade teacher broke out the metronome on the first day of music class. I have an eclectic taste in music. I like Classic Rock, Metal, Hip Hop, R&B, Country, Pop, Gospel, Show Tunes and Worship music. I even like classical music…don’t judge me…and Jazz… but don’t confuse me with Ryan Gosling.

As much as I appreciate music, I am far from a musician. I can carry a tune but not much else. Even at that, I struggle finding harmony. I don’t read music, and the right and left hemispheres of my brain do not work well enough together for me play an instrument. I have tried on numerous occasions… saxophone… not happening… guitar… still experimenting… and drums I’m too uncoordinated for that… just give me a mic, and I’ll stick with what I know. Rhythm is not as simple as it may sound to the untrained ear. The more I know about music, the more I am aware of my own lack of rhythm.

It is the same with our spiritual lives. Just when we think we are getting close to realizing God’s purpose and plan, God moves. He makes us chase him again. He makes us uncomfortable. He changes the beat. He slows us down and makes us contemplate. He gives us new challenges and changes our direction.

In the 8^th chapter of Mark’s gospel, the disciples thought they had Jesus figured out. Especially Peter, James and John. When they were asked who they thought Jesus was, Peter replied “You are the Christ” the anointed one of God. In saying this, Peter was speaking a version of the truth, but his view of Jesus needed to change. He had the title right, but his motives were out of rhythm with Jesus. He was clapping to his own beat.  Let’s pick up chapter 8 starting with verse 31.

“(Jesus) then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.  But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” -Mark 8:31-33

Peter had been following Jesus for over three years. He had a face to face relationship with him. He had left his job to follow Jesus. He bought the T-shirt. He was standing behind the merch table. He knew the lyrics to every song. But up until this point, he did not know the music. He had not found the rhythm. His right and left hands did not match his mind and heart. He was still in it for himself. He had not yet surrendered to the will of the father. He was not yet able follow the leader of the band and watch him for the changes…

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? – Mark 8:33-37

with love,

Shawn