Play Skillfully with a Shout of Joy

Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy. (Psalm 33:3)

A week ago I went to see the Ballet Company, Magnificant, on tour with their production Ruth. True to their name, they were... magnificent! Skillfully using their craft to tell God's redemptive story; it was electric, exhilarating, encouraging, and challenging. And I left the evening's production with the words of Psalm 33:3 stirring in my heart.

The following days I prayed that God would continue to work in me the skillful art of story telling, both orally as well as with the written word. Inspired, I joyfully wrote and continued to reach out to find venues to share these stories.

Then suddenly a darkness fell. A deep sense of not being good enough engulfed me. Not wise enough, not sincere enough, not called.... I found myself believing lies. It amazes me, how our adversary can take our shouts of praise and twist them them into self-centered whimpers of fear and inadequacy.

Today I proclaim the truth. More importantly, today I claim the truth. The truth is that we have all been called to God's Work... to good works for His Glory. And He makes us able as we seek to do His will. I choose this morning anew, to trust that I am fearfully and wonderfully made, and that He will bring to fruition the good work He began in me. As I write I will seek His Spirit as my key editor in all things. I will continue to shout for joy as He hones my skill for His Glory. And I will rebuke the lies of our enemy. I will not indulge my self-centered nature with negative self-talk, but glorify Him with Praise and Thanksgiving. The truth is that He doesn't make trash. Me makes Masterpieces. This Poema chooses today to sing to Him a new song; to Play Skillfully (by His Grace and Design at work in me) and to do so with Shouts of Joy.

What will you do with me?

You who fashioned and designed,

Purposed from the start

Good works with me in mind.

You hung the moon and strung the stars;

Scattered seeds deliberately.

You created everything with breath

And calmed the raging seas.

O, Powerful and purposeful One...

What will you do with me?