Sadly, there’s no denying it: I’m getting older. Yes, I realize I’m only 27 and that, statistically speaking, I still have a lot of years ahead of me. But I’m constantly reminded that my time on this earth is gradually coming to a close: a student from the first youth group I pastored graduates from college, the Cosby Show is on Nick-At-Nite, and none of the teenagers at my church know who Zach Morris is.

But I’ve made a deal with myself and with my wife: I don’t want to ever stop learning and trying new things. I don’t want to be the old man who peaked at 25 or talks about the “glory days” of college and high school until he takes his last gasping breath of air. So in the past several years I’ve taught myself graphic design, web design, and Flash. I’ve learned (but certainly not mastered) Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. I’ve become a bit of an Apple Mac guru who can fix almost any software issue and many hardware issues. I’ve also continued to be a student of Scripture and I’ve increased my understanding of post-modern philosophy and ancient church practices. I’ve taken up video editing to a degree I never thought possible only 5 years ago, using Final Cut Studio and Adobe’s AfterEffects.

Believe me when I say I still have a long way to go in mastering these things; but I’m broadening my horizons and the joy has certainly been in the journey. I’m always open to trying new things.

About a year and a half ago, my wife and I purchased the video game Rock Band for the Xbox 360. It turned out to be a really fun party game and we enjoyed hours of playing it with friends in Chicago. And in the midst of all the fun, I noticed that I picked up the drums considerably faster than most people and really enjoyed the new challenge of hand-eye-foot-coordination.

So about 8 months ago, shortly after moving to Springfield, I bought an inexpensive electronic drum kit. Purists will say I should have purchased an acoustic set, but given that we lived in an apartment at the time it really wasn’t an option.

I admit I haven’t had as much time to play and practice as I’d have liked, but I’ve gotten considerably better in the time we’ve had it. In fact, I’d say playing the drums at the end of a stressful day has been a great way to blow off some steam and have fun while doing it.

Last week I had the opportunity to play with my dad and my brother at a Christian youth conference in Georgia called Wow Weekend. It was my first real time to play with a band and I think I did pretty well (though I’m certainly not 1/4 as good a drummer as Philip Ellis). It certainly didn’t hurt that we were playing on a $200,000 sound system; I could literally feel the bass drum in my bones when I played it (which of course made me want to play it as often as possible).

It was more fun than I’ve had in a while, and it was great seeing my family and my good friend Sharon.

I’ll keep practicing on my own and enjoy any chance to play that I get. I don’t have any real aspirations, but maybe someday I’ll play in a little garage band that also has no real aspirations. It really doesn’t matter: the joy is in the journey and the journey is full of joy.

You can check out more photos from the conference at my online photo gallery.

Tags: drums