Who am I?
This past week has been interesting. All of the sudden I don’t care too much about politics, or work, or much else. What I really do care about is who I am and who I have become in Christ. I think the most striking thing about this is that for the last 13 years, since I gave my heart totally to Christ, I have been serving, and growing, and working hard to be what He wants me to be, but I’m not sure I ever totally blocked out the world and focused on Him.
I am, obviously, a drummer. I love drumming, and feel that it is my personal ministry. I’ve done national tours, and lived the awesome life with the purpose of telling everyone we encounter about what we’ve found in God. To actually make money, I teach drum lessons to several nifty people. I’m exploring carrying my NY business over to my new home state of MA, where I worked as an instrument repair technician, repairing guitars, basses, drums, amps, audio equipment, etc. and installing large format sound systems and home audio, I am also an EMT in both NY and PA. All of that is who I am physically, and I like it. . . I would like it several pounds smaller, and several dollars richer, but I’m cool with whatever I am as long as I can be used.
But who I am spiritually is so much more important. I guess a little backstory is necessary to totally show the picture of my spiritual life. I am the son of a pastor, which, in all honesty, stank royally. I hated being a PK, and let my parents know it every chance I could. At the age of 13, I decided that their “religion” wasn’t for me, and did everything I could to rebel against them, and Christianity. I had a ton of “fun” with alcohol, and eagerly tried pretty much anything offered. I kept up such a lifestyle until just before the end of my junior year, when I was 17. I decided that it really wasn’t worth it any more. I wasn’t really sure what popped in my brain to make this change, but looking back, I see so clearly that it was God’s perfect plan being gently worked in my life. A few months later, at a summer camp called Timberledge, I gave my life to Christ. It was August 30, 1997, just after 9pm. Ironically, one of my favorite bands, Delirious?, released an amazing album called King Of Fools in May, 1998, and on it was a song called “August 30″. The lyrics are amazing. I know they had no idea the significance of the date and the lyrics to me and my spiritual life. . . but it fits my life perfectly. I’ll write out the lyrics at the bottom of this post, then perhaps it will make more sense.
Since that day, I have devoted my life to growing closer to God and learning how to better know His plan for my life. I love what I do. I love drumming and working EMS. But I love it for a reason that may not be obvious. I love it because I am being used by God, and because I can be an instrument to reach people and tell them of His love and grace and how He changed my life and brought real peace into the turmoil that was me.
You are probably asking why I tell you this. I feel the need to share this because I will not waste another opportunity to share what God has done in my life. This is just a basic overview of what God has done for me, and I will always be willing to share the entire story, just ask me. I hope you will think about what I’ve said here, and seek who God really desires you to be. And know that I probably don’t know you and in the sea of 3 billion people with easy internet access, I most likely never will, but that won’t stop me from praying for you, and desiring the best in your life. Sound crazy? Maybe it is. . . But I’m ok with that.
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August 30
By Delirious
From the album King Of Fools
Thank you for the chance to live again
I will run always for you
Clouds had gathered all around my head
But these hands they lifted me
And I’ll tell of this love that saved me
Thank you for the chance to live again
I will run always for you
Walking closer you are all I have in this world only you
And I’ll tell of this love that saved me
And I’ll wait for this light to break
I’ll come to you, yes I’ll run to you
And I’ll wait for this light to break
I’ll run to you, yes I’ll come to you
I’ll be one with you
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