The Lord is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.” —Psalms 118:14 NKJV
Recently, I attempted to write a psalm or a song about Abigail, one of David’s wives. It was, again, a style of writing God led me to, because it was extremely difficult.
Sonnets make sure each word has a function, but songs ask whether each word follows the rhythm. There has to be a steady beat that moves naturally with your lips. If you try to force a word into the beat, it can stall the song. And if the words or rhythm are too short, the song won’t carry the way it needs to.
That’s another thing I learned: a song is moving words. There is timing in it all. Timing tells you where to pause, where the beat should drop, and how the song keeps moving forward. If the words don’t fit the timing, it feels like trying to drive a semi-truck through an alley.
That’s a funny image, but honestly, it’s what we do every day. We wish we had said something better. We wish we could take certain words back. We wish we had better timing. We wish that we could fill up that alley of time with our speech.
But the thing about time is that it isn’t ours. We may spend it, give it, or waste it, but time itself is a gift from God. He gives us time to turn toward Him. And in His grace, He allows us the freedom to choose what we will do with that gift.
Forcing our words into His timing will never work in the long run. Eventually, what doesn’t belong will overflow. Things begin to tear because one piece is trying to be something it was never meant to be.
That’s why the tongue needs an ever-present Mentor. The heart can deceive us, often by persuading us to chase our own version of wisdom, finding our own rhythm. Yet if we are so busy looking for our own timing and rhythm, when are we watching our mouth?
God knows how hard this is. He doesn’t simply call us to be right; He calls us to live in Him, flow and live in His rhythm. Then, when you are trying to harmonize with life, you’ll have God’s steady beat beneath you—a rhythm nothing can shake or break.
So why are we stuffing our words into His rhythm instead of surrendering to it? Why are we trying to freestyle on our own when we have the power of the God who commands storms and wind? Will you keep trying to control your own life, or will the song of your life become a collaboration with Him?
Stop worrying about fitting your rhythm when God, who created you, has a specific rhythm for you. For some, He may call them to move boldly forward with His message like a rock song. For others, He may be reminding them that the space of silence and rest is as good as the beat drop. For all of us He is the Conductor and we are the instruments. There is only so much we can do.
But He can do so much more for us and through us—if we follow His song, His rhythm.
What rhythm are you listening to and following today?
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to follow Your rhythm and trust Your timing. Guard my words, guide my heart, and help my life be harmonious with Your will. Let my song be shaped by Your presence and not my striving. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Something Good 