How to Apply the Crucial Key of Servanthood (ROE Pt 2)

Rules of Engagement – Part 2

“In an age where celebrities are basically "idolized" by the media, and in industries where jealousy, lust, greed, envy and selfish-ambition seemingly influences so much of what goes on, those that whole-heartedly take on this characteristic will be a breath of fresh air.” (previous blog)

Maybe you've heard the word “servant” at different times. If you've hung around Christian circles for a while, you've more than likely heard the word quite often. Or maybe the word “serving”, or even the classic: servant-hearted. The reason it's talked about though, is because Jesus talked about it a lot.

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant” (Mark 10:43) It's possible to still read that and think... That's great. But how does that actually apply to my life, and my industry?

Great question. Ultimately, it comes down to who you're doing it for.

Let's use a business analogy. If a business owner wants to sleep well at night, then s/he should make a profit by offering products and services that meet genuine needs in the community. If a person in that community buys the product/receives a service, a sale is made, the customer benefits and the business owner finds what could be defined as true “success”. If the owner is purely out for themselves, they might use a bunch of shady advertising techniques, do whatever it takes to make sales, and maximise profits without paying attention to the real needs of the community. (Think Coca-Cola for a moment!)

I'm not saying you should view what you do simply as a product. Stay with me...

The world does need great art, and great media. Both arenas serve many purposes in society. They entertain/stimulate/communicate/challenge/inform/enliven..... the list goes on. If you genuinely set out to meet those needs today.... awesome!!!!

I'm not simply saying you should “sell-out” for the crowd either. Let me elaborate by saying that the world needs people that are mature in their God-given, artistic and creative “voice”. People that are truly and authentically themselves, confident in who God made them to be.

I am saying we shouldn't take on the same motivation that “Gangnum Style” rapper Psy initially had for starting his career. When he was younger, he watched Freddy Mercury of Queen singing live at Wembley Stadium. He watched how he had the audience “in the palm of his hand”, and wanted that type of attention for himself. And instead of singing, he decided to learn how to rap.

Psy does seem to be a really good hearted person. He has said that he wrote “Gangnum Style” for the people in his own country, because they were going through a tough time economically and he wanted to make people laugh. Definitely a noble cause! What I'm challenging though is the initial motivation (self centered-ness), that is actually present in all of us.

The more that we contain self-centered motives, and the more that we are in it for what we can get, the more we will be inclined to deliver an inferior product. (Again think of Coke.) We might achieve some level of success, but in the end we won't be truly successful.

The truth is all of us have mixed motives in all we do. The closer we get to Jesus though, the more He can and will purify our hearts.

Those that truly value people, and seek to serve the community through their medium, will ultimately do better than those who simply want the attention, who want fame, or to be rich, and are not transformed during their journey.

A performer like Justin Timberlake can take on servant-like characteristics. He can (and I believe he does) perform for his audience, seeking to entertain and inspire them. Anyone can take on that characteristic. (And by the way, I'm a fan of JT.)

In my view, no one can be great in any field, unless they apply the principle of servant-hood. But those who really take this to the next level, will have had their hearts transformed by Jesus Himself. They'll be the ones who will really “shine” so to speak. As well as “acting out” the principle of servant-hood, let's all be transformed, bit by bit, by Jesus. And as we seek to follow him, may God teach us to really, truly care for all the people we connect with. Let's be stirred to use our talents and gifts to the best of our abilities, to make the lives of people, and the world a better place.

All of this doesn't mean you shouldn't promote yourself. In the midst of hard work, if you know you have something worthy to offer.... a bit of “hustle” is probably necessary!

“God promotes Himself since to not do so would be cruel. If God is God He's the best we can have. He promotes Himself for our benefit not His” - James Macpherson via Twitter

If any of this stirs you, I'd suggest reading through Phillipians 2:3-11, and reflect on how it applies to your sphere. For more scriptures on the topic to read/meditate on, click here.

#seekJesus                                                #transformation                                                                   #itsaprocess

Don’t isolate yourself from the world – but don’t be like it either. (ROE Pt 1)

Rules of Engagement - Part 1

“In the world, but not of it”*. It’s a well-known Christian catch-cry. And it actually sums up really well what Christ-followers should do. We should connect in the world, and engage with people. Be you. And if you want to wear a leather jacket, wear a leather jacket. I can’t afford one, so I wear vinyl. No one can tell. If you want to spend money on fashion… there’s nothing inherently wrong with that. What’s the alternative anyway? Deliberately uncool? A jacket from the 70s? Actually, they’re cool these days. HOWEVER… this we stretch it too far if we apply it to areas of morality, and issues of the heart. Let's think of an artist we all know and love very much...

Kanye West has been rapping a long time. Eight years ago now, he rapped: “They tell you… preach us, teach us, Jesus; Okay, look up now, they done stole your streetness” (in the song "Good Morning"). A few years earlier, he rapped “God show me the way because the devil’s tryna’ bring me down”** and one of the ways he does this is by tempting us to become like the world – in a bad sense. Whenever we stand at crossroads like everyone does, we need to think about Scriptures like 1 John 2:15 etc and Matthew 6:24. I love Kanye, but I don’t wanna see more creative believers go in the same direction, because in the end, it will only lead to hurt and regret. I’m pressing this point (again) because it’s so important.

If being cool means getting drunk on Saturday night before church the next morning, I don’t wanna be cool. If I have to sleep around to be with the “in” crowd... then count me "out". I don’t want so called “streetness”, if I have to stop following Jesus to get it. The truth is though that Christ is out in the streets, and the streets is where you'll find his true followers. In the world. Not off.

As we follow him, in a sense, we redefine what is cool. When it comes to heart attitudes/behaviours……. I’d say, being caring is cool. I’d say, helping people is cool. I'd say showing "love" for thy neighbor – is cool!!! We aren’t meant to be “of the world” in a bad sense, or in the sense of choosing "sin" etc. The big “C” word (compromise) won't help you live out your calling. And of course on the other hand… neither will being deliberately uncool/isolating yourself from the world, just for the sake of it. What purpose does that serve?

Obviously, we need to become good at engaging culture. In. Not off.

We have been sent into the world as believers (see John 17:18), obviously with a purpose. A mission even. And it's impossible to live out this mission "in the world" today without cultural engagement. Simple as that. If you walk into a shop, and someone says “how are you”, whatever you say back is engaging culture. The last thing we want to do is be sloppy in our cultural engagement.

“I look back on my life like what a fool

cos now my life might redefine what is cool

...fresh prince, barely old enough to rule..

Me without God, is Tiger Woods without golf courses

Now I be cooler than popsicles on porches

...fashion game of my life brightened up

It's a dark world folk gotta lighten up” - Blake Young (Hip Hop artist) song is: here.

IN THE WORLD // NOT OF IT

*See John 17:11,14-18    **From the song "Jesus Walks" (like all of us, he has a dream.)

Faith/Arts/Media - 3 Rules of Engagement:

A little while ago, I handed in a university research paper entitled “Faith, Arts and the Media - Rules of Engagement: How Christians should engage with the media and the arts spheres?”

I decided that I couldn't sum up the whole paper in one blog post. (I well exceeded the 8,000 word limit!!!) So here’s three “rules of engagement”, quick-fire:

1. Don’t isolate yourself from the world – but don’t be like it either.

“In the world, but not of it”*. It’s a well-known Christian catch-cry. And it actually sums up really well what Christians should do. We should connect in the world, and engage with people. Be you. Be a little bit cool if you want to. Or uncool, if that's cool for you. Traditionally, Christians have often interpreted the phrase “in the world” to mean we should be connected and engaged with people, and maybe even a little bit trendy. I have no problem with this notion.

What does “not of the world” mean though? Basically, it means don’t do anything stupid, and watch over your heart. It is talking about sin, although overall, it’s more a matter of the heart than anything else. Embellishing on this, the Apostle John says: “Do not love the world or anything in the world.” (1 John 2:15) While it’s not wrong for me to wear a nice pair of shoes, it’s wrong for me to be obsessed with my appearance, to be “vain”. “The world”, refers to the demonic system, where pride, greed, lust, and all sorts of ugly things are the norm. We aren’t supposed to be like that. So yes, don’t sin. But it goes deeper than that. Don’t let bad motives and unhealthy desires come to fruition. Read through Scripture. (I heard a great sermon the other day on 1 Peter 1:22-2:3.) Get with God, and let Him change you little by little. Ultimately, God will show you how to live out the above phrase. And while you do this, remember to ultimately use you're gifts/talents & creative mediums to:

2. Serve the community

In an age where celebrities are basically "idolized" by the media, and in industries where jealousy, lust, greed, envy and selfish-ambition seemingly influences so much of what goes on, those that whole-heartedly take on this characteristic will be a breath of fresh air.

Because we live in a time when the "prince" of the "power of the air" is influencing so many people**, it's more important than ever that "in our relationships with one another", we "have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.

"Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather..."

Please take time to read and study Phillipians 2:3-11. Things worked out ok for Jesus in the end... but ultimately that's because he set about serving people (and God's purposes) first. Jesus example gives us a lot to follow when it comes to working within the media & the arts.

3. Learn from Lecrae

Lecrae is quite likely the most influential hip hop artist today that espouses a biblical-Christian world-view. Even if you're not too keen on Rap/Hip Hop, it's worth knowing a bit about him. (Especially considering hip hop's influence on popular/global culture.)

In his mind, Lecrae is a missionary to the Hip Hop world, but his strategy to achieve this, is to be a great artist. THIS is one of the keys to his success in recent times, and a reason why he's now engaging with more and more people "in the world".

In 2012, he really hit his stride with his approach and as he explained in his own blog, became more focused on creating art to the best of his abilities, and allowing his worldview to naturally influence what he created, as opposed to using it as a means to communicate truth. This approach allowed his 2012 release entitled “Church Clothes” to connect with a lot more people outside of the church than before, and those people are now engaging with his Christian worldview. Lecrae really is "in the world, but not of it."

Compare this line in 2008 from his album "Rebel":

"Lord kill me if I don't preach the gospel"...

...to the following statement made on Facebook earlier this year:

"I know most people want every song to have a very explicit moral message but sometimes that sacrifices the art and beauty and skill of communicating. I'm still fighting to give people what they've come to expect from Albums like "Rebel" while still helping them to understand that trying to force that does a disservice to you, me, and the work God has done on me..." (full post here).

Lecrae has been on quite a journey over the last 12 years artistically, and it’s worth learning from him. I believe we should never be ashamed of Christ, and I am all for personal evangelism/sharing the gospel. However, those who seek to work in the arts & the media in some way, should never feel like we have to force a particular message through our mediums. When the time is right, the time is right. All we are really required to do is walk with God and let things flow from there. This seems to be something Lecrae has come to understand. (And by the way, his new album "Anomaly" is being released September 9^th. Christian outlets and non-Christian outlets are anticipating it, and I certainly am too!)

*This is a combination of two phrases found in John 17:11,14-18.
**See Ephesians 2:2

HOPSIN'S JOURNEY - and Why it Should Matter to You

Hopsin, (aka Marcus Hopson) is known as a hugely talented and charismatic MC. Even though I've never met him, but it seems he's a hard-working intellectual, with a big heart.

Just over a few years ago, a high school kid asked me if I'd heard of Hopsin, and told me that he'd dissed Lil' Wayne and other rappers. I then looked him up, and have followed him ever since. While he's never been one to play the major-label game, he's developed a huge following, mainly through “word of mouth”... or social media. (One of his videos has close to 40 million views [edit: it's now clocked just over that number], his most recent clocked over 1 million views in it's first day online! He's been called the “Black Eminem”, and skills-wise, he deserves the title. He's actually just about to tour with an Australian hip hop artist called 360. That's a tour I'd pay see.

The year before last, (2012), it seems that Hopsin found faith, and found God.

Check here to see an interview with regular outlet “Hard Knock TV”. In this segment (of a four part video) shows he's a deep thinker, who values being “authentic”... more than most people... definitely more than your average rapper. That authenticity has led him to share about his faith journey at times... Watch at least the first 6-7 minutes if possible.

In this video, in my eyes anyway, Hopsin really seems to have encountered God. He seems to have really changed in the way he sees things. I don't think you can “put on” the whole “convicted” thing, even if he did care about winning over the Christian crowd.

For a long time, I've had the view that if someone who has a profile finds Christ, generally they need to come out of the limelight for a while. This is similar what Jesus did with Simon, Andrew, and the rest of the disciples. I'm not saying we should all leave our homes right now and join a commune, but there are times & seasons where we need to get away with Jesus, and get “discipled”, in the same way that the 12 did. They had to get trained, unlearn old habits, learn new ones, and basically learn how to live like Christ. Even though Jesus can appear to us today (and he does), for some reason he seems to use people most of the time to manifest to us (see Acts 9:5 for the former, but also verse 6 and 10-12 etc for the latter).

For Hopsin to find God during the journey he was on.... would have been tough. He's a smart dude, and a song he released soon after his encounter with God is a confronting song. But the journey he's been on since has been rough, as it would be for anyone... just like it has been rough for me.

Last month, he released a track that I think is one of his most powerful yet. Check it out, if you don't mind deep themes wrapped in some R18 language.

This song show's a new level of maturity artistically, both musically and as a video. Spiritually though... it's even more profound. A lot of people have said "this is him walking away from Christianity" etc... really, this is perhaps the biggest set-up of his life... and I have a feeling he knows it. There's so many things that the God-haters will ignore.... here are some random thoughts about this video.

-He's talking to God the whole time. Even when he says "my gut feeling says it's all fake..." he's saying it to God.
-He's challenging God to reveal himself to him. Marcus has met God before. God does things His way - but at the same time, God is seeking us... God won't let him get too far.

-Even in the middle of his wrestling... Hopsin says that when he looks at the earth and sun he can "tell a genius man designed it - it's truly mind blowing, I can't deny it" He's honest enough to share the tension at hand. (See what I mean about authenticity? It's much cooler than being dogmatic - either for or against faith.)

-God can handle being called a "Poltergeist".

-Hopsin's coming to Australia soon. Christians everywhere are praying for him. It's like the rap game... for every "hater", there's at least 4-10 fans. It's the same with judgemental Christians. Jesus (not just the devil) is at work. I'd be surprised if Marcus DOESN'T come across Christian after Christian in the future that love him.

-Those that seek, find. (Matthew 7:7-8 in case you didn't know. Marcus is doing that, so please don't judge him, or anybody who's on a spiritual journey.)

Peace/love.