Still Frustrated?

Proverbs 13:12 – “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.” – Amplified.

I was writing an entry into my personal blog this morning, when I thought to myself, this scripture applies perfectly to my maturation as a musician as well.  So I began to type out a variation of my thought geared towards my fellow musicians.

I tackled this subject some years back in a devotional entitled, Frustrated?  My purpose was to give bass players who are frustrated with their musical progress, hope that in time things will get better.  Judging from the feedback I have received on the site, I feel as if the words hit the mark.  Now, I am writing to encourage those who feel as though the progress has stopped, and they simply are not improving as musicians.  Don’t lose faith.  Don’t give up.  It’s all a part of the process.

In my personal blog I wrote:

Have you ever waited patiently on something to take place in your life, only to receive notice, that it would be delayed?  How did it make you feel?  Often in our walk as believers we trust in a trustworthy God to deliver a promise in our life only to experience delay in the things we hope for.  Almost certainly every believer has had to endure some sort of delay when it comes to our spiritual growth in God.   If we are not careful we will find ourselves, moving away from the grace in which is so prevelant in our salvation, and we begin to find ourselves working for those things in which we desire.  The sense of accomplishing works for Christ only momentarily, provide a source of fulfilment when we find our heart condition, is quite possibly more saddened than our previous encounter.

What are we to do?  How are we to get out of this cycle? According to the proverb, it is only when that desire is fulfilled, that I will experience something greater than my present situation.  Right?

I am persuaded that too often I have misunderstood the process, in which God uses to mature, and strengthen me.  God knows exactly what I need, and he uses deferrals, in my life, that I might see  “Life” through the eyes of Christ.  When we are sick we seek medical assistance for those things that ail us.   When Our hearts are sick we attempt to self medicate bye things that often make the matter worse, instead of trusting in God who hears and heals.

Some of you guys may be thinking that’s great brother, but what does that have to do with my musical maturation.  My response is nothing and everything.  We all know that musical talent can be found in believer and non-believer alike.  Talents can also be found in part-time believers, but that is a “Whole-nother” post unto itself.  The only thing that separates christians, is that we are sanctified as a gracious act of God towards us.  Sanctification, simply means “set apart for a purpose”.  In the context of this post, that purpose is to play our musical instrument unto God.  The same measure we are yielded in our daily life, is the measure God see’s when we come together as a local congregation to worship him.  Let us turn our affections to Him as we worship, and not on the set of skills we are able to bring to worship.  Am I saying, don’t practice your craft? Heavens, No. I am saying, don’t let it be a point of frustration, because you think you should be further along.  Instead, focus on experiencing God, past the other frustrations in life.  Even if your playing doesn’t sound any different in your ears, you will feel a deeper connection in your heart, and the talent will eventually catch up.

Prayer:
Father, help me to understand that you are not bound by time, nor are you driven by progress reports.  Your ways are truly above my ways, and beyond tracing out.  I can’t understand how you operate, unless you give me revelation.  Lord, I thank you for sending your son Jesus, to fulfill the Law.  I thank you for extending your grace towards us, because it is truly amazing.  Lord, continue to give insight and revelation so that your child will be edified.  Teach me to trust in your my king, and not the scales or runs, I bring to the sanctuary, where your people assemble to meet you.  Increase my capacity to listen to your heart, rest in your grace, and seek you in the things of life that often go overlooked.  Take your rightful place in the thrown room of my heart, teaching me to love your ways above all else. In Jesus Name.  Amen.