March to the beat of the right drummer

Have you heard the one of the doting mother who, while watching her son march by in a parade, cried out, “Look, my son is the only one in step!”

Few people would accept the mother’s assessment of the scene, as in marching, when determining who is in step; the majority normally rules. But this has not always been the case. There was a time in history when the entire world was out of step and only one person marched correctly — Jesus.

Thoreau once wrote: “If a man loses pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured, or far away.” This was the case with Jesus. As He walked through life, His steps were not influenced by the errant and distorted views directing the people of His day. He heard a different cadence, produced by His Father. On those occasions when Jesus’ actions were out of place with society, He explained that he was doing the will of “Him who sent me.”

There are many rhythms hammered out by today’s society, enticing those who hear to fall into step. But there is only one truly accurate beat that puts us in step with creation and its creator. Others may be close, but in the end, they create discord not harmony.

With whom are you in step? Remember, your walk is not determined by how many stride with you, but who beats the drum.

Pastor Mark Holmes is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church and has served the Darrow Road Wesleyan Church since 1997.

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