keeping with the beat (and losing it)

"we hear a familiar sound

jazz, scratching, digging, bluing, swinging jazz

and we listen,

and we feel,

and live."

-bob kauffman

In niagara falls YouthWorks houses in a church called, "The Potters House". The Potters house is a vibrant church full of spirit and soul. Lead by their fearless (and I mean very fearless) Bishop Stephen Booze and Co-pastor Booze each sunday is filled with shouts of gospel music, spurts of loud out breaks and grooving organ and bass lines.

What specifically strikes me is the rhythm that infuses each service, from the very first song  to the time that the very last individual leaves the sanctuary a dancing bass line, powerful organ and smooth rhythm of drums fills the atmosphere. Even when the groove stops to pound home a specific moment in the announcements, sermon, or alter call the rhythm hangs in the air like mist over a lake.

The rhythm is simply striking. It literally creates the entire atmosphere of the service.

I think this rhythm should never end. Additionally, I think this rhythm has always existed, the musicians at the potters house bring the rhythm that hangs over our heads into fruition with organ, bass, drum and guitar.  Others hear it through the splashing of waves on a beach, a symphony of liturgy, or the cry of children playing, others have lost the rhythm as I sometimes do.

At my best I hear this moving bass line, this jazz, this groove, clearly in my head - I move and breath with this rhythm. 

I feel however, like there are also times when I loose the beat; when the metronome grows dim, faint and distant and somewhat frustrating and I grow louder and louder and more and more selfish. Many times I quiet myself and realize I have not been keeping with the beat of this internal click track for quit some time. Like a accompanist playing to loudly and recklessly to realize they are no longer accompanying anyone. Then I settle, I center, and find that beat again.

My prayer is that I never stray to far from this sweet rhythm that so easily jumps into the physical realm at the potters house. I pray I can easily flow to the music, that is moves me, stirs up passions within me and settles my spirit. 

My prayer is that one day i may not only hear the beat but maybe play along.