In a very real sense not one of us is qualified, but it seems that God continually chooses the most unqualified to do his work, to bear his glory. If we are qualified, we tend to think that we have done the job ourselves. If we are forced to accept our evident lack of qualification, then there’s no danger that we will confuse God’s work with our own, or God’s glory with our own.
Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art
I live in my head. I have a body but I tend to ignore it and live out my thoughts, my imagination, and my emotions. Don’t get me wrong. I know I have a body and my senses are all in working order. It is just that I prefer to run all of life through this mechanism called my brain. Someone may say, “Yes and what is the problem? Do you have any choice here? You do have to discern your way through this life. We are not animals governed merely by instinct.” Good point.
Let me clarify. When I say I tend to ignore by body what I really mean is that I tend to “think” that I am living rather than actually living. Could I trick myself by all this rumination? It may appear ironic to some that I am writing an article about spending too much time thinking about life. I agree. So much for postmodern paradoxes. However, my point in this confession is really to display the sense that I may have unwittingly disconnected part of what I am from life itself. I may talk about being a Christian but not actually behave that way. Behavior involves my body. I cannot love merely with my mind. I must love with my body, my arms, my hands, my tongue, and even my eyes. Have you ever seen jealousy in someone’s eyes? Have you ever-observed hate in someone’s body posture? Have you ever sensed anger and resentment through someone’s inability to touch you and affirm your presence?
These examples are really presented to bring to light the disconnection between our faith articulation and our actual behavior. I would suggest that we all have these disconnects on some level. The process of becoming more Christ-like is truly a lifelong pilgrimage and the process of sanctification ongoing. But, how often are we fooled by our abilities to articulate truths doctrinally or theoretically but in real life situations come up short? Candidly we all know this happens more often than we would like to admit.
So what does a disciple look like? When I say “look like” I mean “behave like.” What observable actions should we expect from someone who claims to be a Christ follower? I am persuaded that we are sorely confused on this matter. We all have been formed and informed by some faith tradition. This may be Calvinism, Wesleyanism, Catholicism, or many other expressions of Christianity. Even those who claim they are interdenominational or non-denominational have some understanding on the basics of the faith and know when someone has strayed from orthodoxy. Thus, the issue of knowledge of doctrine, church history, and bible knowledge are for most of us quite formidable. So why the seeming disconnect between our faith affirmation and our actual delivery on the playing field of life? I suggest it is a “disconnect” between our faith articulation and our actual behavior. The bible calls it disobedience. What does it look like to obey? Are there people in our lives that can give us feedback when we are missing the mark? Many of those reading this article are musicians and artists. Many of you stand week after week and share your testimony through song and performance. Is there actual viable, visible proof regarding your claim to be a disciple?
Let me quickly assert that these questions are not born out of some moralizing attempt to set up strict standards of behavior and rule-following before someone can make a truth claim. We all know we would stand in the shadows of life if that were the case. What I am asking for is an honest template, if you will, for assessing my location on this journey. Who am I really? Is salvation merely fire insurance or is it a life- and what does that life look like?
For many years, I read, studied, went to conferences, listened over and over to the pastor’s sermons and other well-known speakers in hopes that this information would sink deep into my heart of hearts and transform the wretch that I am. I had my moments of seeming breakthroughs and I would tout the latest technique on displaying Christ-likeness. Christians are famous for coming up with the ten steps to everything. Unfortunately, my platform as a musician and teacher made my latest discovery the revelation of the month and all those who would listen the recipients of my latest experience. Once again, my intentions were noble and my desires even heartfelt. But I was offering up more information, more data, more technique, and more descriptions of my discovery. Is this journey with Christ merely an understanding and a system of beliefs or is it transformative in and through my daily life?
As I began to grow weary of the search for the latest data to quell this holy longing, if you will, I began to see what might really be at the bottom of this searching. I wanted to see Christianity. I wanted to have someone be Christ-like to me, not merely to tell me. Can you see the difference here?
Church services are often centered on the sermon. There is some controversy as to the placement and centrality of the sermon, but for me, I saw the center of my life around what the Word of God had for me via the sermon on any given Sunday. Forgive me if this seems oversimplified or even stupid. I thought, yes I thought I was feeding my spirit by focusing on taking notes, listening again and again, reading the Bible, memorizing verses. These are all good activities in themselves. They are activities that can and do bear fruit in the lives of those who engage in them with the right motivation. But for me, the disconnect between my studies, my knowledge and my actual experience began to grow larger and larger. Some may call what happened to me “the dark night of the soul” but it was more than that. My faith articulation was firm through the ups and downs of life but the pressures and challenges that life threw my way were deepening with the years (business struggles, marriage struggles, money problems). The platitudes of my earlier days of faith began to wear thin. I needed more but I had no idea what the problem was.
I had to get to the bottom of my articulated faith statements and in my ability to understand God and get to the place where I cried out for Him. I had to find the place where I would allow His body, His skin here on earth to begin being Christ to me through actual behavior. I think the first time I realized the difference between talking faith and acting out faith was when I sat in a men’s group weeping over the brokenness of my life. Someone embraced me. This was not a token touch. This was not an intrusive obligatory touch. This was someone sensing just how deep my sorrow was and reaching out to comfort. They knew of my pain and allowed their touch to show me that they were present with me. There were no words, no doctrine, and no explanation there, just the touch. This touch was an embodiment of Christ’s very presence here on earth.
That is what we are called to be -His skin, His hands, His mouth, His eyes, and His voice. This is the incarnation and it is still going on today. It was when I received the touch, really received it followed by some eye contact, that the disconnect between my words and my actions began to start to heal. I SAW, I FELT. I experienced in my body the very love of God. Someone obeyed and touched out of compassion. Compassion born from their own encounter with pain possibly, their own experience with grief and sorrow maybe, but nonetheless, they obeyed with their arms and hands. I got it!
My desire in this letter to you artists is simple. Many of you I have encountered at conferences (GMA), festivals, or via the web. Many of you are honestly trying to make your gifts and talents resound to the glory of God. Here are some simple ways in which you can embody your faith as you encounter His world.
Your Voice
When you talk to secretaries or pastor’s assistants, treat them as children of God. Don’t allow your fears over the procurement of a concert booking, or confusion surrounding the same, to cause you to treat them more as a nuisance than a person. Even when you sense you are being ill treated or even ignored, remain loving in your voice and language.
Your Hands
When you arrive at a church or venue, if chairs, tables or other furniture in the church need to be moved, be the first to offer assistance. If you were told this would be done, still assist and deal with that issue later. Model your servanthood by assisting the janitorial staff at the end of the concert as well. Leave the hall or venue just as you found it and even cleaner. These men and women are often ignored and treated as hired help rather than brothers and sisters of the same family. (note: This works amazingly in bars too. Bartenders, waitresses, soundmen and crew will freak if they see an “artist” helping with clean-up. -ed)
Your Eyes
Make sure you honor even the most socially unique person at your concert. It is so easy to gravitate to those who wish to hang out with the “entertainment.” Avoid any desire on your part to only be seen with those who are beautiful, intelligent, spiritual, or powerful. Seek out those who are often forgotten and acknowledge their presence in some manner. Smile, look them in the eye and tell them you are glad they attended.
Your Feet
Make sure that while you are spending time at a Church or conference that you keep your footsteps from going places and doing things you know would compromise your testimony. Movies, bookstores and other businesses that may compromise your faith should be avoided. Make preparations for where you will send your feet during non-performance hours. Call friends; tell your spouse where you will be going.
Can you see how the re-connection of my faith statements and my body now makes sense? If I am what I say I am, I will embody that testimony in my actions. It will be observable. As artists, we are often asked to perform on stage. In truth, we perform all the time. I am using the word “perform” in a godly sense here. We have this responsibility called our discipleship. It is the same for all that would call themselves Christ followers. However, as those who stand in the spotlight, the discrepancies are much more observable. Therefore we must take to heart the tendency of our flesh to compromise our heartfelt testimony. This day put your mouth and your heart back together with your feet. Be a disciple who just so happens to be sharing their artistic talents. The fruit will be observable and pickable. Be His disciple today.
0 Comments