GIVING UP AND GOING UP
“Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”
(Psalm 37:4)
In my youth, I was greatly influenced by my closest friends. We aspired to be musicians and not just ordinary players. Our goal was stardom, as is true for so many. Having recently performed at the great Hollywood Bowl and being escorted around Hollywood in limos, we were hot shots (or thought so, anyway). Our big break came when the executive producers wanted to visit us at rehearsal. The big opportunity was within a week away.
Our top original song said, “Music, music, that all we’re living for, it’s like taking a skeleton key to unlock every door.” We sang it loudly and convincingly. Then something supernatural happened within my inner man. Having become a God-fearing Christian a couple of months before this time, I didn’t expect a strong, clear message in my spirit. “Michael, is that all you are living for?” I stopped the song and asked for someone to take my harmony part. “Why, it sounds good, brother.” “I can’t do it. That is not all I am living for!” They strongly suggest that if Jesus meant so much, maybe I should quit. (I don’t think they meant it). Well, my first audacious act as a new believer was about to happen. I called each member that evening and said, “I quit, I’m out.”
The following day, I took my relationship with Jesus Christ to the next level – I sold all my musical equipment. I said, “Lord, I don’t want to have any other gods before you, and music has been my god. It was one of the craziest choices that I have ever made in my life. But now God was at the helm of my young life. He was now in charge of my future. Two weeks had passed, and I experienced my next miracle. I received a phone call from a Christian organization in Florida. They said that my musical reputation has preceded me. I flew to Florida, auditioned for the part, and was welcomed as the new lead guitar player. We toured America for some years, and I played the music I loved. We shared the gospel of Jesus Christ with over a million people. I chose to obey and God chose to bless.
“The Christian life is a process of letting go of what has no eternal value and embracing what does. The wisdom of God says to pursue Christ and his kingdom.” (Dr. David Jeremiah)