It has been a while since I heard the term used... but to “fall off” usually means to lose creative energy in your work, to lose your swagger, to lose the “intangible” quality in your work/art/music etc. It's usually accompanied by a loss of passion. Maybe that rapper that “fell off” is really just going through the motions, maintaining the status quo, happy with a big pay cheque at the end of the day. The band that “fell off” has no drive to create anything ground-breaking. Their last album sounds almost exactly like their last five.
As creative people, we should never lose that creative edge to what we do. Whatever we're involved with, we should always be pushing to get better, and striving to improve our game. And for many (if not most), this will involve pushing the envelope, experimenting, and trying new things. (This is one reason I have a lot of respect for Kanye West and his creative endeavours.) Stay close to the Spirit behind what got things started in the first place, and you'll be on your way...
But I want to talk about how not to “fall off” in a couple of other ways. Culturally, as well as ethically, it's easy to fall off, if we don't think (and talk) things through carefully. Some artists have started out with a blaze, and then “fallen off” by compromising the values that they started out with!
The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us to avoid all extremes (Ecc 7:18) (chances are, you know a few Christians who can be a bit “extreme” right?) If you want to follow Christ, (and I hope that you do), then God has called you to relate to the world, connect with the people in it, and to be... what's the word? Ah yes... I suppose “relevant” sums it up. If you want to wear a back-pack while you perform, ok... cool. If you want to wear jeans that are baggy or skinny, or cut-off at the ankle... alrighty then. You can dress as cool/gangster/hip/white or nerdy as you want... if that's what you want to do. Nothing wrong with being “cool”. Or dressing “uncool”, if that's what's “cool”. You get the picture. Nothing wrong with knowing what the latest musical trends are, and letting that influence your sound. At the same time, you want your lifestyle to line up with the limitless freedom that your Lord puts on you. You are FREE to do what ever you want.... as much as it lines up with the commands to love the Lord your God, and to love your neighbour.
Kanye West is a great artist. At this stage of his career, he's on a level that not many people are on... but he is a walking contradiction. And contradictions in our life and our mind are not healthy. Those sorts of things – when left unresolved can lead to things like priests molesting kids in private. (Or artists rudely interupting award show speeches.)
I'm not trying to have a go at Kanye. I love the guy. When half of the world wanted him to die, forcing him to leave his country for a while, I was praying for him. I'd like to meet him while we're on earth, but if I don't get the pleasure, I'm looking forward to catching up in heaven.
As people that love God though, what should we do? What are our options? God wants us to be successful more than we do.... how can we glorify him with what we've got? Jesus really does walk with us. How can we follow Him carefully where he's going?
We've got to think carefully through some things.
Do you remember learning how to ride a bike? There are two ways you can fall off. You can fall to the left... but on the other hand, if you lean too far to the right... you've still fallen off!!
To fall to the left:
Form a holy-huddle, a clique that no one can easily move in or out of. Run from all forms of “culture” that are modern, because you don't want to get “stained” by the world. Don't listen to rap. Listen to baroque. Listen to classical. Pretty much, anything that's old. Or if you must be involved with anything that's mildly modern, make sure it's by Christians, for Christians, and nobody in the world can see or hear it, because we're not called to be “of the world”. Oh yeah. And don't be too creative , or push any boundaries. Let's not get too wacky! Just shamelessly copy what's around you, and put the Son of God's name in a coupla' times.
Ouch! That's one way to fall off.... And there is another way... If you lean too far in the other direction, it can be equally painful in the end! Here's how:
Try to be hip, cool, relevant, relatable to everybody in the world, and in the process, lose your moral compass. (Let's call that falling to the right.)
Yes it is true that if you are “in Christ”, He will never ever leave you, but it's still possible to “fall off” into compromise. This might give a short-term boost... but is it really worth it if we gain success, in exchange for the very core of who we really are?
Riding this bike can be... complicated.
But the good news is that God's on your side. If you let Him teach you how to ride your bike, He is faithful to guide you. And like any good Dad, while we're learning how to ride, when we fall off, He'll ALWAYS help us get back up again. Always.
So how do we not fall off?
1. Stay connected to God – He's the coolest guy, on the planet. He never compromises the core of who He is, (He can't lie for example!) He will ALWAYS meet you exactly where you're at. Talk to Him right now.
2. Stay connected to the right people. God will always bring people into your life who can help guide you and give you advice at the right time. There are people that have ridden where you're wanting to go. Find mentors. Find a good Pastor. My suggestion – find a good church where people will encourage you and support you on the journey. (And even help pick you up if you have fallen off.)
Who can you think of that has stayed “relevant” in their particular field, while still being true to who they are?
