SUNDAY THOUGHTS: SINGERS IN BOXES

From The Fisk Jubilee Singers, to Thomas Dorsey, to Ray Charles, to Sam Cooke, to Lionel Ritchie, to Kirk Franklin, people are still attempting to pigeonhole singers and musicians into restrictive categories.

Who is, or isn't qualified to sing what, who should or shouldn't perform certain compositions, what's real gospel and what isn't, who's anointed and who isn't, have been touchy, exhausting, and ridiculous topics of debate (by imperfect people), for a long time.

Every now and then, I read the comments that people write in reference to YouTube videos. 

One comment (written beneath a video of a clip from Richard Smallwood with Vision's live recording in Detroit) read,  

"I don't see how Vanessa Williams went from singing powerfully in the church, to sexular music."

Of course, the teacher in me noticed the misspelled words first. "Sexular"? Wow. 

If they see all music, other than that categorized as "gospel" as sexual or impure, they're missing out on some outstanding talent and excellent musicianship. 

Do you. Defend what and who you like, but to demean or boycott everything you don’t appreciate, understand, haven’t experienced, or studied, is problematic.

I recognize that certain music has its place. Every experience about which a writer writes, or a singer sings, however, is not a religious or spiritual one. Music is Art.

Appreciative Me, embraced the people who came to my defense in the comment section. 

It's nice if people think you “have the Holy Ghost” and "oil", or are “anointed”. You hope that when people see you, they discern the God in you, and you don’t want to ever mislead anyone, but it’s better that God agrees with that assessment, too, and you’re not basing your relationship on the type of music you enjoy, what you choose to perform, or the denominator with which you are affiliated.

Love of, and belief in God, confession of Christ, His love for us, and His power to save, thankfully, has little to do with church membership, affiliation, attendance, or music preference. Think about the  thief on the Cross--the SMART one. I don’t recall the scripture that identified him as a gospel singer, or church member, but he knew Jesus.

I adore Music, especially music labeled gospel/Christian music, (There are soooooo many categories, and I don't know why...wait...yes, I do. Part of it is racial and bigoted, but I digress.) but I adore God even more.

I talk to Him every day, and He talks to me, even when I'm sleeping. We're great friends, and I know it. 

I just like to sing, and He knows it. He also knew that I did NOT have ANY aspirations, motivation, or desire to record, or sing in front of people. The Youtube comment reminded me of one of the primary reasons why. People will ALWAYS have something negative, discouraging, or judgmental to say, that has the potential to silence you, or make you want to seek refuge, freedom, community, and acceptance somewhere else. 

God, however, will give you the desire of your heart--not what YOU want, but what HE wants your heart's desire to be. 

He will take care of every contingency; connect you with the people HE wants you to meet. 

HE does the step ordering.

We can never be so sure that we know what God has told another person to do with what he gave them. 

He told the prophet Hosea to go and marry a prostitute! I'm sure Hosea's facebook friends and YouTube commenters would have had a whole lot to say about that…lol

I don't like the boxes we put human beings into, that preclude or frighten them from expressing themselves artistically, contributing to, or enjoying artistic opportunities.

God knows we need more people who bring joy, and make others smile. 

How many Christians have lights hidden under bushels, because they’ve succumbed to the judgmental pronouncements, rules, and narrow minded, even ignorant opinions of talentless, bitter, controlling, modern day Pharisees?

At some point, someone decided that Music needed to be placed in categories, as if the listeners were too stupid to discern what performers were talking about. It was probably someone who was not dealing well with their OWN issues, demons, passions, and beliefs. 

ALL music--is a form of Art. It is not, nor is it a substitute for the Bible, or a genuine relationship with God. 

Through Music, people are free to express their feelings, moods, experiences, and ideas. 

No singer or musician, whether they perform gospel or secular music, is as righteous as God, and no music they make can ever eclipse the Bible. 

What one does for a living, in no way indicates or proves their devotion to God. 

A lot of people boast that they only sing gospel music, but they live, and treat others as if they have never had an encounter with God at all. 

They have more meat on the skeletons in their closets than you can shake a stick at. 

To many, God will say, "I never knew you", and they will be the ones who everyone just knew were God's best friends.

"Church" is a public forum where many merely perform, but follow them home. If you could, what would you see? 

THE Church is a body of believers, and many are not bound by brick and mortar. They are engaged in the REAL work of the church. They are BEING the church, as opposed to doing and performing church work and music.

By all means enjoy, embrace, even prefer and promote gospel music, but don't deceive yourself into thinking that the music someone performs is an indication of their relationship with God. 

It may be merely the way they have chosen to pay the bills. For many, it’s just a gig.

For many years, I have worked with (and still do work with) many performers of various genres of music. 

I really do hate to say it but, by comparison, the jazz and R&B artists have been a whooooooole lot nicer, more humble, friendlier (and they recognize that what you do as a singer or musician is, in fact, legitimate work that deserves to be fairly compensated—with legal, negotiable tender).

The actions, attitudes, and words of so-called secular artists, made me see, even MORE, the disservice we do when we judge people unfairly, or shun them because we've mounted our self-righteous horses, and decided they can't possibly be saved, wanted, loved, or used by God. 

Our emotions cause us, as listeners, to respond to what we hear. Any non-believer with a voice can sing a gospel song. Many do. Can you guess who’s who from looks and emotion alone? 

We should never judge a person's relationship with God by superficial standards. You'd be surprised by the error you'd make.

We also miss opportunities to share the actual Gospel, when we make assumptions about others based on the type of music they perform. 

It is the finished work of Christ on Calvary that we all desperately lean on, to save us, not music of ANY kind. 

Anyone can sing lyrics. Human anatomy and physiology determines how powerfully any individual can render a song. 

It doesn't mean they love God more, they may merely be an effective actor or actress. 

God can use anyone, and anything, at any time, for HIS purposes, and for that I am grateful.

Make it home.