The problem with people these days
I realized that I have a problem. This problem occurs pretty often from what I've seen. You see...people can't take compliments. Its just not in our nature, I mean someone wants to say something nice to us, what do we say in response? I usually throw out an appreciative "thanks" or some times even try to give a compliment back...
The reason I'm writing about this is because for the past 5 years or so I've played drums at church for worship...most Sundays after church is over, or even just worship time, someone usually tells me "you did a good job playing today" or "you guys sounded good." I've always struggled in a response to this particular compliment. Part of me knows, yeah it was me up there playing, but then the rest of me knows, every time that I've played for worship I've prayed for God to use me as his instrument of worship, so that people don't see or hear me up there, but they see and hear God using me. So in all reality, I'm pretty sure I'm really not as good as people think, I know that if I play by myself I'm not that good, but somehow if I focus on why I'm playing, and who the music I'm making is for, he uses my poor effort and turns in into a beautiful noise, pleasant for his ears.
So I think from now on after playing worship any given Sunday and someone gives me that "you played really well today" I need to give them a "its not me, its God" or "I'm just a vessel God was using this morning."
posted by Double D @ 5:39 PM
14 Comments:
At 8:27 PM,
georgia said…
Pete, I've thought about the same issue you have raised. I agree with your questions on this. I just haven't said what you're thinking about saying, because it seems like it might weird people out. Usually I just say a simple thanks if someone gives me a compliment. But if you decide to say this, let me know how people respond.
At 10:27 PM,
Jeni said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
At 10:30 PM,
Jeni said…
Back when I was up there singing, I used to have the same problem... Especially since I know that my singing is average at best when it's not worship... :) I thought about using the "it's not me, it's God line" but I'm not very good at talking to people I don't know well to begin with, and to prolong the conversation like that... Ugh, that would have been agony! Ha ha ha!
At 9:26 AM,
JayBird said…
here's an angle (non-instrumental one): when we (crowd) enjoy worship it can be for numerous reasons. when i've been brought into His presence by gifted worship leaders, i become thankful & grateful for them. i think this may be the case for others. i'm sure there's the occasional performance/entertainment driven ones, but even then- most of us are just trying to say, "thanks for being obedient in using your talents/gifts, because it really helped me enter in to his courts w/ praise". does that make sense? maybe you can't make the following correlations or comparisons, but here's something to think about, since in everything we do we should do it unto him (glorify Him):
1) hey, great basketball game- you're really fast & have a great jump shot. answer: it's not really me doing these things- it's God in me. as if i'm a robot.
2) hey, you have the most beautiful voice. answer: it's not me that's singing. i was lip synch'ing.
3) hey, you can really draw some cool pics. answer: God just guides my hand & boom- there it is. i'm a cyborg.
all that to say: God gives the gifts & power, we must accept & exercise them, & overall it's a relationship that requires both us & God to accomplish these things (feet & hands).
At 10:30 AM,
Dennis Clifton said…
I'm one of the guilty ones in that I usually compliment you (or any musician) after a particularly meaningful worship session. I even thanked your dad who was running sound yesterday, because I thought he did a fine job. Our talents are a gift...and we can use them or not use them...up to us. For me...it works to just take the compliments graciously, because I think that when someone compliments you, its just their way of saying "i like you!"...and that's OK with me. my advice is to just smile and say thanks (knowing in your heart that the Lord has blessed your talent).
At 2:21 PM,
Double D said…
awe, denden...you like me?
At 8:20 PM,
digapigmy said…
do people actually tell you that they liked your drumming?
must be, because i'm sure their not complimenting your fashion sense - see picture.
i have thought about this a bit, but i think it's ok to just say thank you. you put in the work of practicing, showing up, and opening yourself up to be used by God - so in that sense you did do something.
i also told your dad it sounded good this sunday. weird. maybe it really sounded good this sunday. good job, johnsons
At 9:13 PM,
No(dot dot)el said…
wow, petey this was a deep one for you huh?? very good topic though. i agree whole heartedly with what jay said. we all have different giftings and sometimes because music is a front runner you run the risk of either sounding too proud or falsely humble. there are plenty of ways that people are serving God with thier gifts/talents and it's important to know that if we all do our part, step up to the plate, and don't bury what God has given then this thing called church, body, family works as intended. me thinks there is a whole scripture about the parts of the body and how we all work together. when we get in trouble is when we start to compare what God has given to someone else instead of just being faithful/grateful with what he has given to us.
At 9:39 AM,
georgia said…
BTW, Petey...What DOES poop have to do with it????
At 10:07 AM,
Dennis Clifton said…
"Let your light shine so that all may see YOUR good works and glorify your Father" (not the one at the sound board, but the one in Heaven)...said by Jesus no less!
At 9:14 AM,
Murdoc said…
Pete, it sounds like you need to learn how to take a compliment. It is you playing the drums, not God. It's ok to sound good & to be told that. Many times we "musicians" feel that if we are complimented on worship, we need to take the extreme humility stance & disregard our own talents & say, "it was God" or something like that. Accept the compliment graciously & move on. This input is free of charge.
At 11:03 AM,
Señor H said…
Why do you give advise to pete for free and you charge me for the same information murdoc? I see how it is.
I usually take the Garth approach..."I like to play"
At 4:15 PM,
Murdoc said…
You are filthy rich senor h. Thats why.
At 5:20 PM,
Double D said…
and I'm butt poor? hey, think so if you want, as long as it give me the free advice while Mr H has to pay for it
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