Led by the Spirit

Over the years I’ve thought a lot about who I am as an artist and who I want to be as well. I make no secret about the fact that I am a Christian first and foremost, yet I have never cared to label myself as a Christian artist in the traditional sense. Most of my lyrics and messages are certainly inspired by my worldview, as I imagine is true of every songwriter, however there is a difference in what ultimately drives and inspires you.

I suppose this makes me an anomaly, because I readily acknowledge there is no place for people like me in the music business. Most modern mainstream music is based on hedonism, image and hype. Unfortunately, the Christian music industry is practically no better. It too is a great offender when it comes to manufacturing the same image-based, cookie cutter acts, which usually turn out to be nothing more than watered down imitations of mainstream pop acts. In fact, it is rapidly coming to light that there are many in the Christian music industry who have been equally driven by money and fame, secretly professing no real faith in Christ, yet continuing to release Christian music and fill concert venues due to the financial benefits it affords them.

Basically my point is that there is little encouragement for true artistic integrity in any facet of the music business. Where ones soul must be laid bare and a commitment to the craft is required for success. True authenticity is simply not celebrated. I realize this has always been lacking to some degree since the dawning of pop music, but certainly it is far worse today. You no longer even have to be musically gifted to have a career, as long as you are motivated to make money for the industry by any means possible. The rest is easily masked through carefully crafted images, excessive marketing and auto-tune. The rare exception to this general rule of thumb seems to be those who have gained popularity in other countries first or through social media outlets.

For this reason I was forced to make a choice early on. I could either give in to those qualifications or be true to who I am and what I believe at any cost. So, I choose to focus on who I am in Jesus Christ, and if music is the gift I was given and called to do, then I am motivated to follow that calling come what may. I accept that it may come at a cost, including limited opportunities, but it doesn’t stop me from pursuing what I love, for its own sake. If I am able to share that gift with those it may resonate with, that is more than enough. For I am not led by a desire to attain temporal fame and fortune, but led by the Spirit toward an eternal purpose; to speak truth and love through the gifts I’ve been granted. Who could ask for anything more?

Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. -Romans 8:14

What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. -1 Corinthians 2:12