Last Thursday was one of those unbelievable news days. It started around 4 am while I was trying to rock the baby back to sleep. I learned that TobyMac’s oldest son had died tragically at his home. Before the sun was up in Alaska the news blanketed the internet, and grief for the family soured the day. Later that afternoon I saw TobyMac post an amazing tribute to his son, including a very personal text message exchange that nearly brought me to tears.
That evening another news item broke on the internet (or at least, that was when I first heard about it). Kanye West had given his life to Christ and had released a gospel album.
That was awesome news, for Kanye, his family, and in a larger context, the culture. Kanye West is one of biggest names in music. He’s also a popular icon with a major platform, a celebrity spouse, and a significant influence into areas where the message of Jesus Christ is pretty universally boxed out.
To be honest, before today I’d only heard four Kanye West songs in my life. My former boss was a fan of his, and one day we got in a discussion about music. I suggested he provide me with a list of his top four Kanye songs so I could preview his favorite artist. Likewise I gave him a list of my four favorite David Crowder Band songs.
I listened to those Kanye West songs on YouTube while driving home one day and was, (how do I put this?) unimpressed — which I presume was the same response my boss had to David Crowder, since neither of us ever broached the subject of music again.
David Crowder turned my whole perception of Christian music on its head. As an atheist raised on classic rock I had certain musical expectations, and (I’m sorry to say) the Christian artists I’d heard just didn’t measure up. But I found in David Crowder (and a few others) something more impressive than the technical skill of music composition — the art of making joyful noise for the Lord. David Crowder managed to bridge the gap between the style of music I loved with the message God had been trying to shower me with my entire life.
Take my fret, take my fear
All I have, I’m leaving here
Be all my hopes, be all my dreams
Be all my delights, be my everything
And I will worship You, Lord
Only You, Lord.
– from Only You by David Crowder Band
In Christ, some days are not filled with joy and it takes every ounce of energy to simply stand up, wrestle on my clothes, and try to not be short with my kids. Some days are steeped in chaos, struggle, or even tragedy. Some days, talented Christian musicians who’ve successfully plowed hard roads into the culture experience unbelievable pain, and joy seems far away.
If the internet is any indication, Kanye West is experiencing some of the pain that new followers of Christ routinely endure. He’s being excoriated on the internet by many people who would rather mock the joyful noise he’s making than listen to his story of redemption. So many of the media heavyweights who loved his bold lyrics last year are put off by his bold proclamations today.
I can feel it when I write, point of livin’ in the right
If they only see the wrongs, never listen to the songs
Just to listen is a fight, but you booked me for the fight
It’s so hard to get along if they only see the slight
From the love of religion
What have you been hearin’ from the Christians?
They’ll be the first one to judge me
Make it seem like nobody love me
-from Hands On by Kanye West
I’m sure he knew this transition would not be easy, and I pray he sticks to his guns because once you give your life to Christ, the world will quickly turn against you. But I hope Kanye knows there are those of us who are on his side, praying for him, and trusting God will carry him through this crazy week of spiritual battle; it’s a battle I, and TobyMac, know well:
I lace the boots up, it’s straight to the door
‘Cause this, is worth fighting for…
These are the elements, I’m telling you bro
This world, is up in my grill
This world, is shooting to kill
This world always gotta be stealing my heart
This world always tryin’ to rip my family apart (apart, apart, apart)
I’ll fight the elements.
–The Elements, From The Elements (album) by Toby Mac
I listened to Kanye West’s new album, Jesus is King, this morning. I can’t say it’s exactly my cup of tea, but God is using it in the lives of others in a powerful way and I wonder if TobyMac and Kanye West know each other. If so, I imagine they’d each have some shared emotions about the past week, what it has done to them personally, and what Christ is doing in their hearts as a result. I wouldn’t guess what those emotions are, but I can guarantee you that they will get through it, and the Lord will use them both in ways neither of them imagined would ever have been possible.
And I will not be quiet anymore
No, I will not be silent, no
And I will not be quiet anymore
No, I will not be silent, no
I will not be quiet anymore, anymore, anymore
Every ocean, every sea
Every river, every stream
Every mountain, every tree
Every blade of grass will sing
– from Make a Joyful Noise by David Crowder Band
And through them He will no doubt speak to us as well, because whenever brave men are willing to let God steal their show, and sing joyful noises for the Lord, the world may mock, but it will hear.
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