My wife’s favorite Christmas song is “The Little Drummer Boy” (she’s partial to the Bob Seger version). Growing up I, being a drummer, favored this song as well. However, as I grew older I think I began to look at the song as shallow and as my taste evolved to an appreciation of much more lavish productions from the likes of the Trans Siberian Orchestra, “The Little Drummer Boy” pretty much landed on my dispensable list of things to listen to. Recently I picked up a new Christmas release from the worship band at my church, and the first track on it was, of course, “The Little Drummer Boy”.
As I listened to a fresh rendition of this old classic, I came to realize a great truth in the song. While realizing the lyrics are fictional, let’s examine the message within the words of the song. Here was a poor little boy who had the opportunity to see the Savior when He was just a baby. He knew that this was a magnificent event, one he did not dare miss. Yet as he travelled with those possessing extravagant gifts, he took inventory of what he had and found very little. However, he journeyed on, anxious to see Jesus. When he saw Him, the little boy knew that he would need to give something to this One who was his creator. So he did what came naturally; he played his drum. He used his gift to glorify the Lord. Surely this playing of an instrument (and a loud one at that!) would mean little next to the rare and expensive gifts that others had brought. I love the last line of the song. Jesus looked at the boy and smiled. He was pleased with the boy for simply doing what he had been gifted to do. Just a boy and his drum yielded a life-changing smile from Jesus.
Are you like the little drummer boy? Do you see your gifts as small and insignificant when compared to the much more visible and note-worthy gifts of others? Do you long for the approval of Jesus but wonder what you have that would warrant such approval? Learn the truth of the story of the little drummer boy. It’s not about what you bring to the Lord. It’s about you simply showing up; it’s about you coming to see Him simply for the privilege of being able to do so. It’s also about using that with which God has blessed you. Who are we to tell God that our gift is too small to be of any use to Him? How dare we presume that our gift could not possibly glorify the One who gave us the gift!
God has gifted you with abilities and talents that He intends you to use to glorify Him. He has not given gifts that are too small or too insignificant. He has given gifts of all shapes that they may work together to magnify and reflect His love and power to everyone on the earth. In God’s eyes there are no lesser or greater gifts, there are simply gifts. All that matters is that we use what He has given us. We must never feel small or insignificant for our gift was created and given by God Himself. Use your gifts; passionately play your drum for Him. Take joy in what He has put inside of you to share with the world. As you exercise your talents, look on the face of Jesus and see Him smile at you… just you and your drum.