I Played My Best For Him: Reflections on Living for Christ

Playing Your Best for Him: The Power of Essence and Energy

There's something profoundly moving about the image of a poor boy standing before a newborn king with nothing to offer but a drum and two sticks. No gold, no frankincense, no myrrh—just the simple gift of his music, played with all his heart. This beautiful picture captures a truth that resonates through the ages: we don't need to have much to give everything to God.

The Invitation to Come

The apostle Paul writes in Colossians 3:16-17 about letting "the word of Christ dwell in you richly." This isn't merely a suggestion—it's a divine invitation. When God says "let," He's essentially saying "come." Come out of yourself. Come away from your own limited understanding. Come into something greater.

This invitation requires movement. When you come toward something, you're necessarily leaving something behind. You're walking away from your own philosophies, your own ways of thinking, your own self-centered approach to life. The text specifically says "the word of Christ"—not your word, not your wisdom, but His.

Who You Are Determines What You Do

Consider the nature of a snake. You don't need to pet one to know it might bite you. Why? Because the essence of what it is determines what it does. This principle applies universally: we do what we are.

This is why understanding our identity in Christ is so crucial. When we look at our actions and wonder, "Why did I do that?" we must first ask, "Who am I?" The beautiful reality is that once we begin to understand who we truly are in Christ, it can fundamentally alter what we do.

Peter learned this lesson when he impulsively cut off a servant's ear in the garden. Jesus essentially told him, "This isn't who you are. Be still and know that I am God." Peter's essence wasn't as a violent defender but as one who waits on the Lord.

The Richness of His Word

When Scripture speaks of letting Christ's word dwell in us "richly," it's describing an abundance that overflows into action. This richness enables us to:

Teach - imparting truth to others
Admonish - lovingly correcting by that truth
Sing - expressing thanksgiving in our hearts to God
The word isn't meant to sit dormant within us. It's not just about personal salvation and waiting for heaven. When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we become witnesses—representatives of Christ in this world. We're called to remember His words so we can share them with others.

James 5:20 reminds us that bringing back a wandering sinner from error is an act of love. It would be easier to stay comfortable, to mind our own business, to avoid difficult conversations. But when Christ's word dwells in us richly, we're compelled to reach out—not in judgment, but in genuine care for one another.

The Beauty of Human Insecurity

The little drummer boy acknowledged his poverty: "I am a poor boy too." There's profound wisdom in recognizing our limitations. We are, by nature, insecure beings. No baby ever told their mother, "I've got this." From birth, we are dependent creatures.

This is why Scripture calls us sheep—not because we're unintelligent, but because we need a Shepherd. Even David, the mighty warrior who defeated Goliath, declared: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."

When we look at ourselves too long without looking at Him, discouragement sets in. We compare our present selves to our past selves, or ourselves to others, and something always seems lacking. But our thankfulness isn't meant to be directed toward our muscles, our voices, our looks, or our accomplishments. It's directed toward God.

Abiding: The Source of All Fruitfulness

John 15 presents the powerful image of the vine and branches. Jesus says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me."

This abiding—this dwelling—is the same concept found in Colossians. When we abide in Christ and His words abide in us, something remarkable happens: "Ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." This isn't a blank check for selfish desires. It's a promise that when we're truly abiding in Him, we know what to ask, when to be silent, how to live, and how to be.

Our essence transforms our energy. Who we are in Christ determines what we do for Christ.

Playing Your Best for Him

The drummer boy didn't play his best for the crowd. He didn't perform to impress the other gift-bearers. He played his best because of the child before him—the newborn King who inspired everything within him to offer all he had.

This is our calling: to do everything—whether in word or deed—in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. The best spouse, parent, friend, or worker we can be flows from loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength.

The Inner Sanctum

Deep within every human being is a place designed only for God—a hidden center in our spirit that was vacated in the fall but can be reclaimed through Christ. This isn't about religious performance or mouthing the right words. It's about a spirit-to-Spirit connection where our innermost being cries out to Him.

The invitation stands today: Come. Repent—which means to turn away from anything that is not of Him and turn toward Him. Trust Him. Let His word dwell richly within you. And then, like that little drummer boy with his simple gift, offer everything you have—everything you are—to Him.

You may feel you have nothing special to offer. You may look at others with their impressive gifts and talents and think, "I've got nothing." But when Christ's word dwells in you richly, when you abide in Him and He in you, what you offer becomes transformed by His presence. Your simple drum becomes a symphony of praise. Your ordinary life becomes an extraordinary witness.

Play your best for Him. Not because you're so talented, but because He is so worthy.