A Saddle Story
There is a story of how the name “Back in the Saddle” became the title of our latest CD. Before I started recording “Saddle” I hadn’t written anything for well over a year. Other than playing my guitar for what I do for a living I hadn’t picked it up either.
Here’s a question; Have you ever given someone or something the power to steal your joy? I was given some helpful and some very not helpful criticism of the gifts God has given me. I became very angry and very hurt. I had given this person power over my life and allowed their opinion to matter way too much.
You see, along with my beautiful wife, I write and sing for God and the devil I might add hates it! The Bible says in Ephesians 6:12 that our battle is not against each other, but with the evil forces of this world. I had allowed satan’s tactics to steal my joy. My anger and hurt led to bitterness, overeating and sadness.
This person, I believe had no desire to harm me and lacked the delivery skills on how to share their opinion. What’s more is that I had allowed this event to draw me away from God. I sang and played for my job without the strong heavenly connection I once felt.
But thru a series of desperate conversations with God, others and events in my life, I discovered satan’s ploys and learned some things about myself. I realized that there was too much of “me” in the picture. I began to ask God what He would have me learn thru this. I began to follow the joy and move away from my ego, which is a daily battle I must say. ;) I was better able to examine what this person said and to pull out the good and place the bad in the trash and dump it.
I know that I am called to lead worship and to lead under the guidance of God’s Holy Spirit. I also get to choose peoples opinions I let matter to me. And finally, it is God’s opinion of me that should always matter the most.
Today my joy has been restored. I am writing and playing my guitar. My wife and I are singing and “following the joy”. I am truly grateful for these life lessons and to be “Back in the Saddle”.
Joyfully,
Michael