I was so excited to have the opportunity to minister in song on stage with artists that I admire and love during 2011 Stellar Awards pre-show events. It's one thing to meet the artists, another thing to meet the individual behind the artistry, behind the talent, behind the amazing performing, behind the flyest and latest fashion, even behind the scenes of the scenes. As I continue down this journey of music ministry, after this weekend, I am reminded to not only encourage through the songs that I write and sing, but to continue to encourage with my testimony, my lifestyle, how I relate to people when I do not have the platform, or the influence. I want the love of Christ to flow and show through me so boldly and brightly, that I become invisible and Christ becomes the #1 superstar.
I had many cool and memorable moments. The one that continues to remain in my mind and spirit still this very day, happened at this event called the "Everything Fresh Party". My manager, photographer friend and myself attended an event; it had a variety of artist that ministered. Some were very well known, and some that I had never heard of before. There had to be about 20 groups/individuals performing at this event. We were probably half way through the event, when this young man took the stage. No bells and whistles, very laid back stage presence. He had on a beanie cap, sweater, shirt, jeans, no background vocalist, and no full live band. When he took the stage, immediately, the atmosphere in the venue changed and he had not even begun to sing yet. His sound.. unique, kind of like Wyclef meets Music Soul Child. I loved it; it was not like any gospel artist I had heard to date. He was small in statue but the anointing that was on him, made it seem as if he filled up the entire stage. When he opened his mouth to minister in song, it was like something was pulling and inviting you to enter into the place where he was, a place that he knew of very well and appeared to spend a lot of time in. He had the kind of presence that didn't encourage you to look at him, but pointing and invited you directly to the entryway of Gods presence, pointing people to the Light of Christ.
I was reminded of the scripture as he began to minister "If you lift up the name of Jesus, He will draw all men unto Him". I will tell you this; he encouraged a spirit of Praise and Worship in that place, like I have never felt before. It was like he changed the focus from performance to Worship and it took a minute before the next artist could come on stage, because of the anointing that flowed through him.
See, it was not that he could do amazing vocal gymnastics, or that he could bend backwards while he was hitting a long single note. He was an individual, a man first, a child of God first..not an artist, though he flowed in this creative gifting with ease, you could tell, this was not his focus...getting people to enter into Worship was. He obviously understands the importance of spending time with God, communing with him, listening to him, seeking him, being obedient, and because of this, he is so easily able to affect the surrounding around him. He didn't need cheerleaders behind him; He just brought Worship, something you can't expect someone else to do, if you don't spend time in it yourself. You can't tell someone to Worship Him, and not show him or her how it needs to be done, in Spirit and in Truth. Even right now, I can hear the words that lingered in the voices of everyone in that place even after he had left the stage..people continued to sing this phrase.. "All the glory belongs, to you, all the glory belongs to you, Oh God".
Of course I had to go and download his music...and even just listening to it, the power of the worship even on his cd is just unreal. There are few artists that can translate worship from a cd and send you straight to the thrown room, and this young man is one of them. His name is Mali Music, and he made me revisit my purpose for my praise, and why I desire to affect the world with the music ministry God has given me. I revisited the definition of this word "anointed":
1. To apply oil to as a sacred rite especially for consecration
2. To choose by or as if by divine election
3. To designate as if by a ritual anointment
4. To prevent infection by anointing a wound
I am sure, pretty much all of us have heard or know of the first three definitions, but the fourth definition, really made me think about something, something that I think we tend to overlook because we are so intrigued by someone’s talent and ability, whether it's preaching, writing, designing, building, singing and so on.. but we forget that at the end of the day, healing needs to take place, change should have happened, something that could have been infected, will not get sicker, but will get better. I sum up the word anointed with this definition, because it helps me always put into perspective, not to get caught up in the talent of a person, how fly or "not fly" a person is dressed, how cool their stage presence was, or how much they talk about what they do for people, for a community but truth be told, a person, operating under the anointing can go into a place, and change happens, point blank. Not just a casual shout or run around the sanctuary, but change that is visible, spiritual, felt and manifested immediately. Isn't that what Jesus did? Everywhere He went, change happened.
While I could focus on some things that may have caused a bit of disappointment in my eyes for the Christian Music Industry, I decided to walk away with the things that I believe planted seeds of hope and growth. To take note of the things that maybe didn't line up with the Word of God, and make sure that I do not fall into that category. To always be listening and in tune with God's way, and not my own. If God calls me to speak to it, then I will, but for this very moment, He has me focused on the light that I saw in this young man, because light is what I desire to be to people who are hurting..saved, unsaved and in-between.
This experience was an encouragement to me, that somebody has to be the light, we all can't be looking at what is wrong with the world to the point that we can't focus on all that God is doing. God sends many nudges our way, nudges of wise rebuke, nudges that will hopefully get us back on track to what our purpose is. At the end of the day, He will use whoever He desires, that has a heart to serve and obey his instruction and direction. We must continue to work out our own salvation and pay attention to the beckons of Light that He has placed in our pathway, to remind us..keep going, yes.. this way, follow this, don't follow that...
Mali Music made a statement that just summed up the weekend, and reminded me that I am on the right track...
Something in the lines of this-
"We need to stop saying, God is going to do and start declaring that God is doing. If we get back to Worship, the adoration, and Praise of our savior, your writing is going to change, your songs are gonna change, they are going to speak of the goodness and greatness of a God who delivers, heals, restores and who is doing great things right now, in the midst of our brokenness"
When he said that...I was like.. "Well alright then"...that's what I needed to hear!
Be blessed family...
God IS doing Great things!
Fahren~
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