Passion And Greatness
Article by: Tom Lane
Passion and greatness are inspiring and people are drawn to both. As a ship is steered by a rudder, we are certainly steered by passion. “Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:21) Greatness isn’t an absolute and is relative to the standard of measure we use. There are some artists that have achieved greatness and undoubtedly a very focused passion is what in part led them there. What I call great you could easily regard as NOT so great. So who’s standard do we rely on and esteem most? If I tallied up a few artists I think are great now versus when I was younger the list would look very different. Most I would still love and may even use the word great in conjunction with their names. But over time what stands out are the few who’ve truly laid down their own greatness in order to be used for God’s glory. Because the glory road is a harder road to Go and requires sacrifices that go completely against the grain of creative people. However, Glory shines bright through the one fueled by a passion that is bridled and fully surrendered to God.
In the early days of Rock, music was by no means technically, sonically, or musically perfect. Guitars were out of tune, tempo drifted like the wind, vocals weren’t auto tuned to perfection, no beat detective, no cutting and pasting, etc. Yet the passion and raw expression was unquestionable and has proven for some to be timeless. In an age where technology rules and is more accessible than ever before, one thing is still true- you need the passion! Without it you don’t really have much. You have to create and capture the essence of something great for it to really become great.
There was a time when record labels took years to develop their artists and their music. It wasn’t as easy as just sticking any and every one that could play or sing in front of people. Long before artists were seen they were heard. All the greats started somewhere and spent time honing and defining their passion into what we now know them to be, It wasn’t overnight and cost them something. With worship music now being a genre and career choice, there’s much more opportunity and possibility of foregoing proper development. For the world, development is more about the music/image/market worthiness. For Christians, it is more about the heart, so to follow the worlds example is not our way. The criteria to be an artist, whatever title we wrap around it-even Worship Artist, should be about the quality or fruit of a ministry/life first.
In my mind there are two roads creative people can run down. You can “go your own way” as Fleetwood Mac put it, or to put it as Elvis sang it, “I did it my way!” or you can do it God’s way. Many misguided christians have mistakenly attributed their success and fame to God, adding His name to their ministries and businesses as if that alone legitimizes whatever they do. What’s wrong with that is; what God has asked and requires of us, is in many ways backwards and in direct opposition to our own passion. Doesn’t mean He hasn’t given us the passion in our hearts; but the fullness is not attained by going our own way, doing our own thing, and being whatever/whoever we want or dream. It’s best summed up this way, “Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” (Matt. 6:33) It’s the righteousness part we misunderstand or glide over if we’re not careful. We are not called to fame or riches, though we may have them and God does allow them. We are called to a priesthood and a lifestyle of holiness.
Not many bands set out to be priests. Many have a history of some kind in the church but don’t seem able to maintain an obvious and dedicated passion, to bring glory to God. At some point usually it becomes about their glory whether intended or not. Wanna be clear that I am not picking on one side or the other, we are all human. Christians love, idolize, promote, exploit, and crucify their heroes just the same! Read the history books. What I am suggesting is that many whom God gifted and called have missed the road entirely though musically they are greatly revered.
The beauty of art and music is, no one rule covers or applies to all creativity. It is a free gift from the Creator Who simply asks that we freely give it back to Him from our hearts. There is a lot of freedom involved! At some point, because we have free will we have to choose whose glory we are going to invest in and pursue. For a band or artist to set their aim on being known or discovered can be a distraction and become an all engulfing pursuit. The more you chase and pursue, the more you become responsible for and feel you have to maintain. That pressure alone has driven many way off course from where they started. I’m not talking about the pursuit of a passion in the sense that you do all you can to create and improve. Striving for excellence is good; believing you have to be on a platform to really impact is not! By all means make your music as great as you can make it, focus and be diligent to steward the talent you have. But don’t let the talent lure you away from the calling of God on your life. It is not the end but a means to express devotion and love to and for God. God is passionate about people and their souls. The goal is always the same for Him, to seek and save the lost, commune with his people, and receive our lives as acts of worship.
So if you are trying to find your vibe, your sound, your image, your look here’s what I pray. Be creative, be yourself, be diligent; but above all know, understand, and commit to being who you’re called to be first. And be able to articulate what that is! Don’t wait for others to tell you what you need to say and do in order to succeed and fill the role of Christian Artist, get it for yourself. God is not silent and is still speaking. When you’re on the stage it needs to be about more than just your music. Doesn’t mean it all has to be “worship” music or “Christian” music either, just don’t be nebulous or naive about the calling!
Passion is a gift, greatness is a noble and worthy pursuit, but glory makes the difference! Aspire to live a passionate revolution centered around God’s kingdom and glory. Live sacrificially, serve the world, walk humbly with Him and trust him to thrust and propel you into spheres of influence and platforms as He sees fit.