SERVING GOD

When I was a little kid, I used to run up to the drums after Sunday School before service hoping they’d let me play for worship. They always made me go sit down, but I wouldn’t give up – I knew that I wanted to play the drums. Finally, they gave me a shot, and over the years eventually become the full time drummer at my church. This was all I had ever wanted, and it soon became my very identity. Sometimes, knowing that I would get to play was the only thing that would drive me to come to church. Even when everything in my life was falling apart, being a drummer was one thing that stayed constant.

Since I was one of the only drummers in my church, I ended up playing for multiple services every week for years. All of that repetitive motion took a toll on my hands. One night about 2 years ago, I woke up with my left hand burning in pain and swollen to double the size. After putting ice on it, the swelling went down, and I hoped that everything was okay. However, the pain continued, and the swelling came back. It got to the point where I could no longer grip drum sticks and play. My doctor diagnosed with De Quervain tendonitis and told me I needed to stop playing and give my body time to heal. I was devastated. Who was I when you took the sticks out of my hand? I began questioning my faith and what was driving me to continue to come to church. Eventually, people began to notice my change in attitude, and it took a long conversation with a good friend to help me start to realize some things.

See, God has a purpose and calling for every person on this earth. However, that calling should never be valued more than our relationship with Him. I was caught up in my abilities as a drummer instead of the One who gave me that passion and talent. So I’m grateful for that painful period. Now I get to serve God in multiple ways – as a youth leader, as a writer, and yes, as a drummer. However, my heart isn’t fixed on how I serve anymore; it’s set on Him.

TOMSON CHACKO