Stay with the Rhythm
The Rhythms of Grace (Day 4) // Prayer365
As a young child I learned how to play the drums and I loved it so much. I loved the way music felt, the way it sounded. I loved its impact. How it touched people, how it moved them, how it encouraged them. For years I was glued to my grandmother’s hip, whenever she was going to church, I was right there because it gave me an opportunity to play. I didn’t care what it was - rehearsal, Sunday service, an evening service - if she called me, I was there because I loved to play.
But as much as I loved to play, there’s one thing that completely terrified me and that was the idea of messing up. Think of this 9 year old boy playing the drums in Mount Tabor M.B. Church which holds about 500 people compared to playing where I started which held about 40 people. It scared me to think of messing up in front of that many ears and eyes. So often I would be nervous, frightened, sweating and heart racing as I would play with the choir. Until one day another drummer pulled me aside and told me that if I mess up to just simply keep going. Stay with the rhythm.
I want to encourage you this morning in three things:
1. Mistakes are inevitable. The one thing that’s guaranteed is that you’re going to make a mistake. You’re going to mess up somewhere at some point. God is not surprised by your mistakes, he’s fully aware of your imperfections. But what’s important is to not stay with your mistake but engage with grace. (Read Romans 3:23)
2. Return to the rhythm - repent. I know, for most of us that is a curse word. But to repent simply means to turn back, it is the turning of the heart back to God. He has promised us forgiveness in exchange for the confession of our sins (1 John 1:9).
3. Repentance build resilience. For years I thought that repentance was a sign of weakness, but it’s really the key to my strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I repent, I build resilience - the ability to withstand or adjust to challenges. Repentance doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger. When I repent, I’m identifying my weakness and the need for God’s strength. Because it’s in my weakness that His strength is made perfect. So contrary to what most believe, repentance is not a curse word but it’s really a healing word.
So don’t be afraid of making mistakes. And when you make a mistake, don’t hide it, confront it and confess it to the Father. Then talk with someone who’s mature enough that when you confess your sin, they will pray with you (James 5:16). Because we’re not meant to do this alone, but He created us to thryve together. Don’t get stuck under the weight of guilt, rather stay with the unforced rhythms of grace.
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
But as much as I loved to play, there’s one thing that completely terrified me and that was the idea of messing up. Think of this 9 year old boy playing the drums in Mount Tabor M.B. Church which holds about 500 people compared to playing where I started which held about 40 people. It scared me to think of messing up in front of that many ears and eyes. So often I would be nervous, frightened, sweating and heart racing as I would play with the choir. Until one day another drummer pulled me aside and told me that if I mess up to just simply keep going. Stay with the rhythm.
I want to encourage you this morning in three things:
1. Mistakes are inevitable. The one thing that’s guaranteed is that you’re going to make a mistake. You’re going to mess up somewhere at some point. God is not surprised by your mistakes, he’s fully aware of your imperfections. But what’s important is to not stay with your mistake but engage with grace. (Read Romans 3:23)
2. Return to the rhythm - repent. I know, for most of us that is a curse word. But to repent simply means to turn back, it is the turning of the heart back to God. He has promised us forgiveness in exchange for the confession of our sins (1 John 1:9).
3. Repentance build resilience. For years I thought that repentance was a sign of weakness, but it’s really the key to my strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). When I repent, I build resilience - the ability to withstand or adjust to challenges. Repentance doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger. When I repent, I’m identifying my weakness and the need for God’s strength. Because it’s in my weakness that His strength is made perfect. So contrary to what most believe, repentance is not a curse word but it’s really a healing word.
So don’t be afraid of making mistakes. And when you make a mistake, don’t hide it, confront it and confess it to the Father. Then talk with someone who’s mature enough that when you confess your sin, they will pray with you (James 5:16). Because we’re not meant to do this alone, but He created us to thryve together. Don’t get stuck under the weight of guilt, rather stay with the unforced rhythms of grace.
I'm praying for you and with you,
Pastor Enrique Brooks
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