Guitar intro to James Taylor’s You’ve Got a Friend, Elton John’s piano intro to Yellow Brick Road or the driving guitar of DC Talk’s Jesus Freak – rhythms that grab your attention in a few notes. It is a songwriter’s challenge as song skips and channel changes are but a quick button push. It was not as easy when it was on vinyl. It is about finding a rhythm.
Recently, being first to a meeting, my counterpart’s phone lit up and he responded in a “less than Christian” manner. I could sense a pumped up, AC/DC type of guitar riff and he was coming in hot. I whispered “Hosanna” like the crowd two thousand years ago, announcing Jesus as Savior and imploring His help. A quick prayer for all those in the room and the meeting proceeded, concluding with a positive outcome. I had found a rhythm, a rhythm of grace.
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” James 1:19-20
Two eyes, two ears, one mouth – use proportionally.
Should a situation come roaring in like the Rolling Stones’ Jumpin’ Jack Flash, retreat to a quiet spot (even if just a corner of your mind) and whisper “Hosanna” acknowledging Jesus as Savior and asking His help. I have found it settles my mind and focuses my thoughts. A rhythm of grace. Even in quiet times, embrace the rhythm and appreciate the calmness of a sunrise, the sweetness of a smile or the dedication of someone struggling but giving all they have.
Share the grace that we have so abundantly been given by our Heavenly Father, for our rhythms will echo through others whether they be of grace or otherwise. There is a rhythm of grace in the giving as well as receiving.
A rhythm of grace, amplified by prayer, will reverberate more clearly when life surrounds you with wind-up-toy monkeys and clashing cymbals. Rhythms can be drumbeats or heartbeats and when the Holy Spirit touches a heart, the rhythm slows to synchronize with the very heartbeat of God.
Take a breath; find the rhythm. As in all things, a simple prayer makes the difference.
Be Blessed
