A Day Late

Well I missed posting on the first day of the year as I was watching the telly.
We'll just pretend this post came along on the 1st, won't we?

SMASH '08 was awesome.

Desiree came along this time, and I threw her to the girls early on. I really do not know how to be a good host. And after worship practice, I had to get into my Scottish kilt with the help of Joel and Esther.

I thought we looked... mildly authentic, with the formal white shirts and blazers. It came together nicely when we walked together in a group.

The games and items were all not bad, but I think the highlight before the worship segments was in a game called "Bizarre Foods" when I saw a certain kid's face exude utter disgust and contempt for whatever it was he had to hold in his mouth for 30 seconds.

Leading up to the first worship practice for SMASH, I had put in around 8 hours of practice on the drums. And I listened to the songs countless times, too.

Thus I thought I had it going for me already by then, but I was clearly wrong. Playing in a team forces you to read people. It makes you think about what you need to become and what you don't need to be. I couldn't handle that fantastically well, and many times I fell apart.

Thus when Sam actually told me he was cutting the amount of songs I would be doing, I wasn't completely surprised. Just bitter at first, not at anyone - But myself. It isn't a good feeling to have tried so hard, but only to fall on your face in front of some of the best musicians in Youth Church. But speaking to Abbey, and Tricia Ann... I then realised being bitter was pointless. All I could do then, was suck it up, don't condemn myself and take the 4 songs given to me, and try to polish them up for God as best as I could. SMASH 08 has humbled me greatly. I am not a great drummer with 'mad skills' like Sam or own any of the many techniques that the other guys have... I just try and get by with what God wants to give me as I give Him praise with the kit. And even though sometimes that doesn't seem like enough, and I want to get better as soon as possible so I can play for God confidently, well and trained - Perhaps God seeks to teach me humility and patience in this area of my service and life.

Before I got into the drumset, I prayed for it. A little special prayer for every single item in the drum kit, and anyone who played the drums. That it'd be all for God, and that no glory would be unto us - But instead, our Heavenly Father who so first gave us what we have.

As I sat on the throne, looking at the faces of the youths in the front. I never thought I'd feel so... Alive. The moment I crashed into the cymbals, bringing resounding praise unto the Almighty God... I felt like I was in the right place. And it was a great honour to lead with the team, the church into God's presence, bringing song and praise.

The first song was "Forever", as I began counting on the high-hat, hearing the exuberant roars of the youth emboldened my heart and I began to look beyond my own failures - and rather focus on giving my best to God. When we hit the chorus with the words "Forever we will sing, glory to the King", seeing throngs of young people jumping in the chapel, daring to reach for God with their praise, feeling the thunderous shaking in the drum throne that each count brought... It was a feeling I'd never forget.

I ran down after my assigned songs to join my cell in worship, and worship God we did.

To summarise, I see the events leading up to SMASH as lessons God wanted me to learn before I could bring Him praise in drumming. I am not perfect, and I messed up a couple of times - But I feel that God is telling me to take the focus off of perfection, and instead look to Him for everything I need, and bring Him praise. True enough, God did not let me down...

I've made new year resolutions as well. And it is my wish that every single day of mine in this year, the next and all of eternity be used for His glory.

To anyone who reads this: Our paths may not be the same, and the things we may do vary... But it is to the same Holy God that our every action brings praise to.

Have a Jesus-filled New Year!