I was recently pondering the need I feel for order in my life. I think it has been accentuated lately by the lack of order in the world around me. I've never done well in chaos - I can't think clearly, I generally feel disorganized and, in some instances, almost paralyzed. I simply stall. My "transmission" gets stuck in neutral and I stop moving forward.
During this pondering, God reminded me of my lack of affection, shall we say, for jazz. I try and I try to really embrace this genre of music since I am such a music lover, but I'm never successful. After much analysis, I came to the conclusion that it is the lack of a strong rhythm in much of jazz music that is difficult for me. I really LOVE Dixieland jazz and could listen to it until the cows come home. But the rest of it...well, it makes me nervous. It actually puts me on edge if I listen for too long. There is something about the inability to tap my foot to many jazz pieces that simply unnerves me. God then gently nudged me to look at the rhythm of my spiritual life and and find some way to tap my foot amidst the lack of rhythm in the world today. It started with this passage of scripture, Psalm 119:10-16.
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
With my lips I recount
all the laws that come from your mouth.
I rejoice in following your statutes
as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts
and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.
There are seven verbs here, one for each day of the week. This is how I can maintain a clear head, a peaceful heart, and an open spirit.
SEEK
HIDE
PRAISE
RECOUNT
REJOICE
MEDITATE
DELIGHT
God impressed upon me that this is the "Dixieland rhythm" I'm looking for in my spiritual walk right now. This is the cadence that will allow me to march on through 2022 with peace and faith in the victory of the Lord. I will focus on one of these each day of the week and march more boldly and confidently as the beat grows stronger and louder with each step.
Take a Five Minute Walk
Take some time today to walk quietly with God. Ask him to impart to you some small thing that will help you to march more boldly and confidently into this new year with faith and the assurance of victory. Ask him to give you a cadence for 2022.