Wow, it has been a long time since I posted a blog. That is for many reasons, but one main one is because I have been dealing with pride recently. That is not a easy problem to tackle.
After seeing Ann Graham Lotz a few weeks back, she made me take a little bit of a look internally. She had struggled with some sin in her life she did not even realize was there. This was only 3 years ago and she has been preaching for over 3 decades. So I thought that I need to look a little more at myself.
I have been reading C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity" for a little while now. I have started reading it and trying to apply it to me as opposed to apply to those around me. The latest chapter I have been reading was about pride. Those 8 pages took me about 4 days to read. I kept going back and rereading and then not wanting to turn the page because I realized I had some pride issues.
Clive Staples Lewis states that, "There is one vice of which no man in the world is free; which every one in the world loathes when he sees it in someone else; and of which hardly any people, except Christians, ever imagine that they are guilty of themselves." Believe me, Christians struggle with pride. Mr. Lewis is not trying to make that point.
I realize that being in Christian entertainment pride is rampant. We tie everything up in a package that we can sell, which in and of itself is ok. As we create that package it is next to impossible to not let your pride get puffed up. We have the clothes, the lights, the stage, the producers, writers, consultants and the list goes on. Would I still play if there was no stage? No lights? No money? No recognition? If I answered no then I am doing this all for prideful reasons. For this express reason it is vitally important that I stay plugged in to a community of believers and serve as much as I can.
My wife Cassi asked me a few days ago what I would do if I could do anything. I gave her a stock answer I am sure but my first thought was that I wanted to be significant in whatever it was that I did. How is that not pride? I wish my first thought was to be in God's perfect will and give Him excellence. That seems a little more in the right direction.
Pray for me and my pride. I will be working on humility. By the way, Mere Christianity has been excellent so far. I would suggest it as a good read. I am a slow reader so I should be done with my copy in a few months. :)
Peace
3 comments:
Hey Brian,
Thanks for the post and your honesty. Your point about being in the music industry is right on. I was kicking around some years ago the idea of wanting to be in the music business with a fellow pastor I know who was intimately familiar with many who are in the business. He said to me that most aren't anchored in a church somewhere where they can be held accountable on a regular basis with other christians they know and love, and they end up drifting in their faith and falling prey to the the temptations of the business, a huge one being pride. I feel for you guys who stand before thousands on a regular basis, them cheering and yelling and singing with you and idolizing you. It is heady stuff, so hats off to you in your desire to stay humble. God will honor that.
Just make sure you guys don't stop the music. It is a gift from God to many, including me. Peace.
Brad Giddens
oops, sorry for the misspell, Bryan.
Thanks Brad. Early on we had a mentor tell us of the importance of being involved at a home church. Your point on accountability is right on. With all the temptations of life the artists need to have a core group of believers looking out for them.
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