It’s possible that you might not win a Grammy.
After hearing that sentence, did your heart sink?
To be honest, I’m devastated.
Success.
The pinnacle of success.
Deep down, that’s what we crave. We may say we don’t care about the sale of our art. We say we don’t care if anyone sings our worship songs. We say we’re not just in this for large crowds.
But who is kidding whom?
We all want that kind of recognition. We all want to be Adele – shining in the spotlight, caressing multiple trophies, being the center of everyone’s attention.
I’m happy for her. 23 years old and on top of the world.
I wish it was me.
What Gives Your Life Its Worth?
Wouldn’t global popularity make your life worth it? Or would it?
I’m immediately reminded of my purpose in this world through the words of John the Baptist:
“The one who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now complete. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth andspeaks in an earthly way. He who comes from heaven is above all” (John 3:29-31).
John the Baptist understood that the One who comes from heaven is “above all”.
Joy in decrease.
That’s weird. Immediately my pride rises up and says “no”. I’d rather be famous and simply act humble when I get there.
I don’t know if you’re like me, but watching the Grammy’s makes me dissatisfied – with my career, with my bank account, with my house, with my quality of life.
It’s disgusting.
Because I’m blessed with more than the majority of the world. I need to revisit my core. Find joy in decreasing. Find purpose in shining my spotlight upon Christ.
But how?
How Do We Find Joy In Decreasing?
What if my life reaches its end being beheaded in a Herodian prison without anyone talking about me?
I suppose I’m too close to my ego – to connected to my own fame.
Let’s discuss.
How do we find joy in decreasing? How do we pour our life’s purpose into the glory of God and not the fame of our own name?
Come on readers. I know you have a goldmine of wisdom. You always pull through. Join the discussion in the comments!
Wow. I don’t have an answer at all. The fact that you wrote out the truth of my thoughts is enough said for me, honestly. I guess I’d say we simply keep doing what we are doing. We trust that he said “Because you’ve been faithful over a few things, I’ll make you ruler over many.” But, if that promise isn’t necessarily the one we get to attain, then we follow the words of Paul and be content in little and in much. I know for a fact, I’m not going to jump through unnecessary hoops and dilute his Word for notoriety or fame, so, if he doesn’t ever gift me with that, then that’s what it is. I remember hearing that every good or great basketball or football player doesn’t make it to the NFL or the NBA. That same concept has to be true for music.
But then there is the healthy tension that he has given us the charge to GO: to Judea, Samaria, and then the uttermost parts of the world. So he has already given us a waiting stage, I suppose, if we choose to take the charge to GO. So for me, I’ll GO to Grand Rapids, then Chicago and Wisconsin or Indiana, and then hopefully Texas or LA, and later Africa, New Zealand and Australia. That to me would be “winning.” Did that make sense?
~G~
Glenda, you make perfect sense.
“Be content in little and much” – a great verse.
I suppose each person needs to define success for themselves, right?
Well, I’d like the regular definition of success too, lol. I guess I just meant there’s no way to MAKE it happen, so we’d have to just keep writing, keep singing, keep worshiping, and hope that our work will be recognized. It just hit me that Paul in that verse said he knows how to be abased. He didn’t say SELF-ABASED. I think we have this humility thing just a bit twisted. If God chooses not to exalt me, then I’ll have to be content with that, and he’d most assuredly give me the grace to be content. I don’t think we should chase being a nomad where no one knows our name or ever hears our music. That would defeat the purpose. OUR purpose. I think because we are artists, musicians, worship leaders, and singers, God built into us the need to be seen and heard. I believe my songs are worth hearing. I’m sure you believe the same thing, David. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have spent the money for CD distribution, download cards, website maintenance, etc. If you didn’t have this blog, we might not know you today. This false humility in the Body has got to stop. If the Gospel is hidden…come on, we know the rest of that verse. So, if the music is great and people love it, they’ve created a system to celebrate that. Of course it’s up to the status of our hearts whether we would let that notoriety or fame rule and define us.
Brilliant! Love your perspective, Glenda. I once heard Jon MacArthur say, “You focus on the depth of your ministry, let God focus on the breadth.” That seems to say that marketing/promotion isn’t our responsibility at all. I tend to think rather than focusing on one or the other it’s a combination of both: focus on the depth, work hard on the breadth, and trust God with what happens. Would you agree?
Thanks, David. I absolutely agree with that. I can paint a billboard with my big face and a big cheesy smile, but only God can accurately draw people’s(or the ONE RIGHT Person’s)attention to that. (In the case of discussing an independent artist being noticed by the industry)
It still remains that I have the responsibility to focus on both and put all my effort into both, and do both with as much excellence as I know how to do- And then let God BREATHE on the BREADTH.
Glenda, you and David just basically said it!
I don’t think I disagreed with any of it. When I am confronted with a statement, a situation, or a controversial idea, I almost always try to recall what the Apostles did in a similar situation. What were they thinking? Did Christ approve or rebuke them? The Truth of God is filled with paradox. We are more than conquerors, we are children of the King, and yet at the same time we are broken vessels, and flawed servants. Do everything with thankfulness and a clean heart, the rest is up to God.
Glenda, our previous exchange was interesting, but I think this was the dynamic of it. I tend to frame things from the negative side, while you tend to look at it from a more positive view. You said in this exchange with David almost exactly what I believe. I like to use this as an example.
I say “I really hate that.” You say “Of all the things I like, I like that the least”
Are we not saying the same thing?
Parable of the talents. Yes, be a good steward. Music is our labor. Do it as unto the Lord. Worship is a daily walk with Christ that includes the great commission. Explain what you mean by “false humility in the Body”.
If you mean what I think you mean, I am with you. I have been treading lightly around the subject and trying to say it indirectly. You said it very boldly and quite “negatively”. I like your directness. I like to see scripture and biblical examples applied to these exchanges, when we discuss matters of Faith, Service, and Worship.
Don
I meant what I said above that statement. That some people say, yeah I write, but I’m not trying to be an artist. Well, why are you doing a live cd recording and using cd baby to distribute? If you’re going to write, you may as well be comfortable with people hearing your songs and selling them.
“Wouldn’t global popularity make your life worth it?”
I serioulsy thought you were about to talk about Whitney Houston…
The way we decrease is by finding Joy in the Name above all Names!
Finding Joy in the Fame of Jesus’s name!
And most importantly…Finding Joy in Christ himself…
Knowing that life does not consist in the abundance of material things…of earthly things…But of Who we are in Christ…
if i’m beheaded for Christ and no one knows about it…the answer is…
YET…no one knows about it…YET…
“if anyone proclaims me to men…i will proclaim him to my FATHER…but if anyone denys me…i will deny him to my Father.”
spiritual answer aside…
…im human…still in this broken body…of course i want to be in that kind of Adel success…lol…
Is it possible to balance the “I want to be like Adele” passion with the “He must increase while I must decrease” passion? Can the two be joined together?
It it’s a means in your heart that you are reaching more people for the Kingdom …then yes…
Prosper even as your soul prospers…
as long as we don’t identify ourselves by our accomplishments then yes…
as long as we don’t let it define us then Yes..
take tim tebo…i believe he balances those to out…at least on the outside…hopefully is soul is in line also…
Hmmm….this is an interesting conversation. Fame is a tricky thing I think. It makes you think that it’s all that, but I’ve heard lots of famous people say they would rather be more anonymous. I watched the Adele interview with Anderson Cooper before the Grammy’s and one thing she said really spoke to me. She said all she knew was that she wanted to sing for the rest of her life. Now I don’t know Adele, but I’m thinking she didn’t expect or look for fame, she just wanted to sing the best that she could for as long as she could. I’m sure the fame and money isn’t all bad, but in the end, I get the feeling that she just wants to sing.
I have said in previous posts that I am not a worship leader, I don’t get to call the shots, I don’t get to be out front, I don’t get to sing on every song….but that doesn’t mean I’m not leading worship and that God is not using me. I am serving the people who are right there in front of me every time I pick up a guitar. If I get upset that I don’t get to be the one in the spotlight then I think I am doing a dis-service to the gifts and talents that God has given me. It is hard believe me, but I always have to be aware of my ego and not let it get the best of me.
I started writing songs about a year ago. A small independent artist even put one of my songs on his CD….boy was my head reeling!! But again since I am not the worship leader I don’t get to do original songs in service. I got frustrated cause I felt like why am I writing songs if no one is going to hear them….isn’t that the point!! I guess I had to get to a place where the songs I write are really just an expression of my relationship with God and if I am the only one that ever hears them, then I have to be ok with that….
My age might have a bit to do with my attitude I guess, I am 48 years old and have been a stay at home mom since my son was born 21 years ago. Sure I have had part time jobs here and there, but my focus was my family for the most part. I didn’t even pick up a guitar until I was 45…so while sometimes I think I have a lot of catching up to do, most of the time I am thankful that God has blessed me with music in my life. If there is a reason he needed to wait until this time for it all to unfold, then I need to accept the gift and move forward from here and play like I’m 21! LOL
I’m beginning to ramble here, but I guess it is easy to get caught up in all of that….I know I struggle with it too, even though I know for a fact I will never make it big. But you can be a rock star in your community and serve in your church in such a powerful way. Don’t dis-count the talents you have and being right where you are. When you use your gifts and talents to the best of your ability no matter what happens….that is Joy rising in my opinion!!
Lisa 🙂
Lisa, thanks for sharing your story. Some great truths here. I agree with your Adele assessment. Her career exploded out of a passion for singing. There’s something pure about her approach. No gimmicks.
And don’t disqualify yourself because of your age! God has more for you to do! 😉
Wow. I love this blog post because it is so honest. I felt those same feelings last night watching singer after singer take the stage. I mostly felt like what I have talent wise isn’t good enough. I felt insecure. But watching those accomplished artists perform also inspires me to practice and hone my craft…singing. What a gift and a platform to be able to use your voice to reach people in a deep way! And while I so admire artists on the Grammys, most of their “messages” are empty words, sometimes hopeless words. What are they really offering to us, their audience? Their fame is being lived out on earth. But what will God say when they reach the end of their lives like we all do? Yes, it’s amazing and incredible to receive a standing O like Adele. I wished it was me, too! But more than anything I want a standing O from GOD Himself!!!
Amen. “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Hearing those words at the end of our lives are better than any grammy.
I love it when people articulate exactly what my heart and mind really feel. Yes I would love fame and for everyone to sing my songs. Doesn’t every songwriter? But I know there will be another challenge to be met after that one…and that’s IF I even ever get there. That being said I must continue seeking The One who is ever seeking me. I know the kind of satisfaction that life in step with God brings and it is truly fulfilling. May we always want Jesus more than anything else and may our purpose always be to lift His name high for all to see.
Thanks David!
Take heart to what Dave Grohl said last night during his acceptance speech. “It’s not about being perfect, it’s about what’s in here (heart) and here (mind.)”
Amen to that!! Oh and btw….FOO FIGHTERS ROCK!!! 🙂 Just Sayin! 🙂
David,
I could give a rats behind about getting a Grammy, seriously. That is just not where my head is at. BUT, you know what is funny? What I would love, and what I associate with success in my own head, is to be a full time paid Music Pastor (I’m currently part time) with a thriving and influential ministry. Basically, you are my Adele, David. As funny as that sounds, it’s really true.
I think it’s great to be able to sit and read your thoughts knowing that you are already living the success I desire in my own heart. I need to be reminded, like you, that success is a wicked master and it never matters how much success you achieve because enough is never enough to satisfy the depths of our hearts. Those depths were made to be filled by God alone.
It also reminds me that I’m most likely living someone else’s definition of success in my own life, and how grateful I should be to have what God has given me.
Hey I just wanted to say that you’re not the only one!
I’m currently part-time as well, and still work a ‘regular’ job. I’d much rather be at my church doing that work during the day…well, I end up doing worship arts work here anyway…:-)
Not sure if I should post this, but I’ll take the risk that I am wrong and David you can delete if you like, but I saw this video last night and it made me think of this discussion. Powerful stuff…..I hope you will take a look…..
http://www.cnn.com/video/?/video/living/2012/02/11/eds-story-my-garden.cnn#/video/living/2012/02/11/eds-story-my-garden.cnn
Lisa
it better to find God to be glorified in our life and ministry.more than grammys and famous.
This is my life verse. I remember being at my lowest when this verse (John 3:30) spoke audibly to me. The joy I find in decreasing is this. The less is not my part. When God becomes greater in my life he takes residence. The less and less just happens through my obedience and allowing God to become more.
To LISA , if this gets bumped to the bottom. I teach guitar. I have had a lot of adult beginners start guitar in their second life ( after kids are grown). They usually do quite well. You can do it. Don’t let anyone talk you out of it. Your life experience will be good material fro songs and will resonate with someone.