Choose Your Groove

“Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

Yesterday was Sunday, and at 11 AM, I assumed my normal place for morning worship—at the keyboard in the praise band. The quality of what come through my speakers each week is determined by two things—playing the right notes and staying on beat. I readily admit that the first is easier for me than the second.

To aid my rhythm deficiency, the pounding of the drums pulses into my head through two small earbuds, but I have discovered that no matter how high the volume, I only stay on beat when I stay focused on the beat. I must choose to let rhythm of the drums take precedent over the notes I am playing, the chords the lead guitar is strumming, and bottom line booming from the bass. If I am not intentional and attentive, I find myself rushing a bit ahead or lagging slightly behind.

I wish I could say this happens only on Sundays at the keyboard, but I get off beat on the weekdays as well. Though by God’s grace I live by His Spirit, I don’t always keep in step with His Spirit. Sometimes I rush ahead, not patient enough or not trusting enough to let God take His time. Often I lag behind, too slow in gratitude or hesitant in obedience. If I want to live in harmony with God’s heart and stay on pace with His purpose for my life, I must choose to let the rhythm of God’s Word take precedent over what I am feeling, what friends are saying, and what the world is booming. No matter the volume of the other voices, I must focus first and most on what God says. I need to be intentional and attentive, concentrating on the His Word and then listening as His Spirit reminds and reassures throughout each day.

“You gotta move to the music,” my longsuffering drummer would say when I was learning to play with a band. “You can’t sit still and stay on beat.” God agrees. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit”(Gal. 5:25). The heart of the Father pulses in the cadence of His Spirit. Listen up and live life to His tempo.

Move to God’s groove, and you’ll never be off beat.
His rhythm is always right.