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Proverbs 11:25

“Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.”

I used to play in R&B and jazz bands when I was younger. There was a term we used to describe how well a drummer was playing. If a drummer just kept the tempo and played a basic beat, he was “just playing drums”. But if the drummer played in such a way that made you really “feel” the song, we would say, “That drummer was in the pocket!”

“Pocket” drummers used their gifts and skills to enhance songs — to make them come alive. They would lock you into songs in the beginning, keep you hooked in the middle, and make you want more in the end. “Pocket” drummers have the ability to uplift the entire band and make everyone play better, including themselves. They have a special way of affecting others by how they played.

One of the goals God has for us is to be “conformed” to the image of His Son (Romans 8:29); to be similar in form; sharing the same inner essence-identity. Our lifestyles are to reflect the character of Christ, lifting up others. Essentially we are to be “in the pocket” with Jesus.

But as you look around in our society, you generally don’t see a strong Christian influence. We see strife, idolatry, jealousy, fits of anger, envy, and divisions…and that’s in the church (Galatians 5:19-21). The “world” is much worse. So what’s going on?

I think, in a word, it’s “lordship“. It’s like we start the relationship process with Jesus (salvation) and then plateau. It’s like we joined the band of “The Saved Ones” and “just play drums”; we “keep the basic tempo and beat” in life. We don’t lift up and impact society by how we live.

But God did not intend for us to “just play drums”…He wants us “in the pocket”. As ambassadors of Christ we should be uplifting those around us; we should share the story of our relationship with Him in such a way that makes Him come alive. We should be knowledgable enough of the Scriptures to give a defense of the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:14-16). As we lift Him up, He will draw others to Himself as He did on the cross (John 12:32-33).

How would you assess your effectiveness in the lives of others as Christ’s ambassador…honestly. How would Jesus assess your effectiveness? Are you bringing blessings to others and being enriched? Are you “in the pocket” with Jesus, or are you “just playing drums” for “The Saved Ones”?

Humble yourself and commit to the discipline of His lordship. As you grow in your submission to Him, you will soon find yourself “in the pocket” with our Lord (Galatians 5:22-23), lifting up others around you, living a more fulfilled life, and bringing glory to His name.