A Lone Base Drummer

1 Corinthians 1:26-27,31 – Think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

One morning last month as I was watching the television news, there was an item concerning the troubles in Ireland, caused by the Protestants asserting their right to march in celebration of past battles won. There was videotape shown of the men and boys with their pipes and drums shrilling away in a spirited melody. I was carried back in memory to my own teenage years, when I was in just such a band, trained and led by a veteran of those same Irish troubles who was the beloved captain of our Boy's Brigade company.

I looked carefully at the television coverage of the march for the bass drummer, because that was the instrument I carried. I say carried, because I always felt somewhat embarrassed that all I could do was carry that big drum, whacking away as best I could. The other boys spent much time learning to play the flute or the side drums, and they were the skilful ones. But we had great times during the Second World War, playing in patriotic parades, held to sell victory bonds.

As I watched, I felt again the same embarrassment for the bass drummer. Then the thought occurred, "He is the heartbeat of the whole marching troop!" All of a sudden, I saw the role the bass drummer was playing, and the one I had played, as being of great importance. It gave the underlying strength, the support to all the others! Wow, what a new way of looking at the place one had in life! Then it also occurred to me that there are many Christians in the body of Christ who feel they don't play an important part in God's scheme of things. Are they ever wrong! As long as we play the part God has assigned to us, we are at the heart of His plan for our world! Praise God, I may not be smart or famous, but I am important in God's plan!

Prayer: Thank you, Lord, for calling each of us to Your service. Thank You that we can go into this day joyful and proud that we are part of Your plan for our world. Amen.

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