I overheard this conversation between a well-known CCM artist and up-and-coming "secular" rock band drummer. The two guys knew each other. The conversation made me ill. CCM artist: "Yeah, you guys are like really out there. I mean you are playing for audiences that like, you know are hard to sell."
Drummer: "Yeah..." takes a swig on his beer and looks bored.
CCM Artist: "I mean, it’s not like us where it doesn't matter what we play because the audience is in 'our little subculture.' Our little group of people. But you guys... you guys are playing for the REAL thing..."
Me: Vomit.
A small suggestion to anyone: If you hate what you do, or you resent it in anyway, stop doing it. God is better than that. You are either hanging on to something or you need a SERIOUS ego adjustment. Especially if what you do is supposed to represent a "Christian" medium. Just do something else. You'll be much happier and more people will be blessed by your new and happier job. Even if it is flipping burgers. Just move on. I'm sure your CCM dumb fans will find someone else to mindlessly enjoy. I have to say, at that moment, I was glad that I had never wasted a nickel buying one of their CDs. I'm telling you, it was sad, sad, sad.
After a minute of listening, uninvited to this kind of nonsense, I said a prayer for my own prideful and judgmental heart, and said a prayer for this talented but bitter, burnt-out artist.
Sorry folks. Just had to get that one off my chest. I might wake up and delete this post, but for now... it stays.
6 comments:
I didn't know you were in Nashville, Seth.
I agree. I used to try to write Christian Fiction, which I really don't care for myself. Nothing wrong with it, mind you, and I respect the writers. But my efforts came across as less than genuine because it wasn't my calling. However, I could and did write devotional material because I enjoy Bible study and practical application of Bible principles. And I write mainstream fiction because I love to read mainstream fiction.
Fake enthusiasm will always shine throug in any artistic endeavor.
Sorry about the typo in the last post. And it should be "Biblical" principles.
Thought it better to apologize than rewrite the post.
Brody. No but I hear the Spirit of Nashville reaches far. Very far.
mz jackson, I am very glad that you made that switch. When you did, I think your writing went from good to great. You took off the binders and shackles and turned it loose.
I still enjoy those devotionals that you write and think you should still keep doing them.
We don't always approve of the workers God uses. None-the-less, God uses them, which is a good thing because I'm pretty sure there are those who don't approve of me.
"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us." Mark 9:38-40 (NIV)
My Mom listens to one of Seth's favorite preachers on TV direct from the biggest church in Houston. I can't understand how she can do it, but she seems to get a lot of good out of his sermons. QED.
Good point Rob and well said. I am mostly sad about the state of this fellows heart. He seems to be bitter about quite a bit and seems to dislike what he does. At some point, I think he became what he hates.
But again, God uses sinners and if people would be a little more perfect like me he wouldn't use anybody!
JK. Seriously, usually when something ticks you off it is something you have or have had in yourself in spades. And I can tell you have have had my share of Jaded moments. And btw, I happen to like Joel. Seriously. It never fails, evertyime I turn the guy on I am encouraged!
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