theEmerge?
October 27, 2010 | Blog
What is theEmerge? Besides a new project or worship band of mine? I will try to make this as simple as possible and maybe give a little background as to why I’ve created this blog. This will probably make your head spin and explode, get really ticked off, and want to cuss me out. OK. But while you were still in diapers, well not really, but you were in Elementary school, I was traveling and singing. I’ve been playing live since 1996 at the age of 16, much of that time in the beginning was leading worship. That doesn’t make me special, I’m just letting you know a little background before we dive into this and you think I have no experience in this area.
More and more today, I am seeing “christian” musicians battle it out and constantly put each other down, while trying to maintain the top spot in their area; ultimately world domination in their eyes. I use quotes under christian, because they are no more out to see lives changed for Christ than my first dog, which is now buried in my backyard. Yes, they may have talent. Yes, their skin tight jeans, TOMS, bandanna around their necks or in their pockets are so sweet, and their chains are just amazing…OK, seriously it’s fine to dress cool. That’s not my point. My point is that we worry so much about our appearance and our shows appearance, that God is the last thing on our minds. If you say that’s not true, you are a liar. I’ll be the first to agree that stage appearance, the look, aesthetics; all of it has its place, but it should be last. We have to condition our heart first.
I was recently chatting with a friend and he mentioned musicians around the area. He stated that out of all of the bands in this area, his was one of the best. I love this friend and I know he’ll read it and probably get mad at me, that’s why I’m not mentioning names. I use this story to catapult what I’m saying next…(and I’ll generalize it)
Who in the crap cares how great a band is and why do we question why others get to play shows for this or that organization, especially when they aren’t as good as us or we just think we deserve more? Let me remind you of something. And this is what God spoke to my heart on the drive home after meeting with him. If you are truly called to play music for Jesus Christ, you would never have that question in your mind. You wouldn’t care if you think you are better than another band or artist. If so, you need to step back and ask if this is what God has truly called you to do. I’ve had to do it. I’ve made idols out of myself and put myself on a pedestal. God knocked me down very quickly. But that’s another blog post in the near future.
I want to show you this in scripture.
1 Corinthians 12
14Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. 15If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 17If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
I urge you to read the entire chapter of 1 Corinthians 12.
Listen carefully! All of us musicians that are to be doing the work of Christ have to stop all of the stupidity. We are all part of the body, but we are different parts of that body. Where you may reach a certain group, I won’t and vice versa. We all have our part to play and it brings division to us all if pettiness takes place of ministry.
Over that past year, I have lost friends. I honestly don’t know why. In the music circles, with all of the cool cats in this wonderful area, my wife and I have been replaced with even newer bands and their members, which must have been sweeter, sicker, and more gnarly friends than we must have been to the “important” folks around town. (like my verbiage?) I’ve been shunned. Instead of asking me to partner with them, they’ve ignored my existence. It has hurt. It has caused arguments. It has brought questions. I’m not even sure I need answers. I just know it is living proof that people aren’t extending the hand of God like we are all supposed to do. “Nick, can you really say that?” Yes, I can. Why would we ever turn our backs on others, instead of confronting them with problems that arise?
This is what we must do. Any previous ideas and notions on what you thought the christian music industry looks like is wrong. Throw it out. We have to be different. We have to live life different. I’ve been guilty of this in my past, but recently, when God showed me it was time to back away for a while, He immediately destroyed the idols I had built in His place. Destroy your idols. Get rid of anything that has replaced God. After all, that is an idol. People will question you, people will think you’re crazy, but no other opinion matters, but Christ’s opinion. Record deals don’t get you into the kingdom nor will being friends with those that have one. They are here for a purpose and they serve that purpose well sometimes. I hope every musician that reads this and has the right motivations behind what they do, will sign a record deal and make tons of cash, and give it away to those that need it. Don’t read this wrong…there is NOTHING wrong with one, that’s not my point at all, but it doesn’t make you who you are. God defines you, the music He gives you, and the talents you have.
We are all part of the one body, but we are many parts. Clear the stage and make some space for the one who deserves it. With that I urge you to go to iTunes, purchase “Clear the Stage” by Ross King. Turn everything off around you, hit play, close your eyes and listen on repeat for a while. This is explains where I have been over the past few months.
We are all part of the one body. Let’s make a difference for our community, city, country, and the world together and without divisiveness.
Be sure to have Christ Emerge. Bring Him into the open, bring Him into view and stop hiding Him, make Christ evident in your life.
Thanks for letting me share my heart! – Nick
