Simple is Better: Be the Tambourine Player
Great singers amaze me. I LOVE hearing and watching talented musicians share their gifts. When they have a great grasp of pitch and express their feelings, it is magical.
Talented singers know their supporting cast is super important. Necessary. A guitar player or two or three, a keyboard player, maybe a drummer. All these sounds make the music and lyrics shine.
Then there is the tambourine player. When we see the tambourine player we wonder if they are necessary. Important. If the band needs to cut back, the tambourine might be the first person eliminated. Who will notice if they are gone?
I think of the tambourine player as the cherry on top of the sundae. The person who provides the finishing touches to make the song sound fantastic. While you want to keep this player if possible, it’s easier to eliminate the tambourine than the lead singer. Right? The tambourine player is often a back-up singer. Not the shining star in the band. The skill level isn’t as high. If you can follow a beat, you can play the tambourine. Yet, the tambourine adds so much. It gives the song another dimension. While the tambourine usually doesn’t get the limelight, it is part of the supporting cast.
A while back, a friend shared her experience of traveling internationally with a group of people she didn’t know. Her nature is to take charge. This time? She didn’t. She let others take charge. She helped out when needed. Offered support when she could. Enjoyed being in the background. She was the tambourine player.
Meanwhile, her husband, a behind-the-scenes guy, was the lead singer. The one helping everyone else out. Making sure everyone was safe and ready for the day’s adventure. He problem-solved and kept the group connected. Meanwhile, his wife was thrilled to rattle her tambourine whenever it was necessary.
Some people are born natural leaders. They love to organize and inspire. Make sure things are taken care of. They are steady as the day is long and more reliable than taxes.
Others want to be the lead singer. All. The. Time. The person who thrills in the limelight and draws attention. The funny and witty one.
Some people drive us a bit crazy because they aren’t organized. They run by the seat of their pants and are up for any adventure. Their laid-back nature is refreshing until you are the person who pulls their loose ends together at the last minute.
And then, there are the tambourine players. The people who are interested in getting it “right” for the benefit of everyone else. They need no recognition or compensation. They are simply there. All. The. Time. Ready to help when called upon.
Truth? Some people move through each of these scenarios easily. Depending on the situation, they may be the organizer and planner. There is where I spend most of my time. Yes, I can be the in-front person in the right scenario and have been. But the constant attention and stroking of one’s ego isn’t for me. I like organization (except don’t look at the table in my office right now!).
Like my friend, there are times when I sit back, watch what is going on and shake my little tambourine. I am happy to step back, fill in when and where needed, keep everyone on beat as I rattle my tambourine. I hope my little additions inspire others and are the cherry on top of the sundae.
We all need tambourine players in our lives. Sometimes our most important role is simply to be the tambourine player. To be perfectly fine rattling our tambourine to keep everyone on beat.
Jesus taught his closest group of friends to be tambourine players. Servant leadership begins with serving others before we expect someone to serve us. Tambourine players need no attention, recognition, or special accolades for doing their job as they keep the beat for the rest of the group.
Tambourine players pitch in and do whatever. They don’t expect their idea to always be the best. They defer to someone else who has a better idea or a necessary skill. They fill in the gaps and add something extra when their turn.
Don’t get me wrong. We need lead singers, great musicians and well-thought out lyrics. But we also need tambourine players.
This week, I pray that you will intentionally find a time when you can be a tambourine player. When you can help or assist someone else and add a little flare in their lives and expect nothing in return. When you are glad to be the supporting cast. When you pay something forward with no need for recognition.
Shake your tambourine all you can this week. Accept this opportunity and be pleased another person can be the leader/organizer/head honcho.
God’s kingdom needs lots of tambourine players. I hope we’ll sign up for the band.
Blessings –
Dianne
Holy God – Thank you for granting me special and unique gifts and talents. When I’m called to do something special just for Your kingdom. May I also see and grasp the opportunities when my most important role is simply to shake the tambourine. Amen.
Join us for Grief with Grace: When Grief is Hidden, a free virtual workshop where we’ll explore hidden grief and make space for healing, understanding, and hope.
Tuesday, October 6 • 6:30 PM CT • Online via Zoom • Free
Come as you are. 💙
Comments