(Adobe Stock Photo)
By Ken Rolheiser
The first four paragraphs of this column are from a song I have not yet written.
We are all coming from our own sad places in a world where we are never fully satisfied. Maybe it’s time to move forward to a place of joy, joy, joy!
With Jesus, there is no looking back. With Jesus, it is time to rise up! We’ve been waiting too long! It is time to soar!
Imagine God as a puppeteer with his hand on your back. Now it seems like you can go anywhere and attempt anything.
I continue to be awed by the backstories and inspirations of contestants on American Idol and The Voice. Happy stories from a church choir background and stories of struggle inspire us equally.
Examples of courage and grit include rock musician James Durbin, who made it to the Top four on American Idol on his second attempt. His traumatic childhood included his father’s death by a drug overdose. Durbin was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome and Tourette’s syndrome. “I always got made fun of, beat up,” Durbin told producers. “I was just lost.”
Another contestant, Kezia Istonia, Lady K, talked about how her family suffered from homelessness that eventually led to the suicide of her brother. Lady K sang Katy Perry’s “Wide Awake” to the judges, including Perry. Lady K left a note for them: “The universe lined this moment up perfectly. Thanks for reminding me I’m a firework.”
It seems nothing can keep these courageous artists from using their God-given talents in striving for their careers as singers and songwriters.
One Idol said, “I’m afraid to chase my dreams because I can’t run that fast. God gave everybody a gift. When I hear music, I hear the voice of God.” Music allows some contestants to move from poverty or addiction to a greater dream and purpose.
Beethoven said, “The vibrations in the air are the breath of God speaking to man’s soul. Music is the language of God. Musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise.”
The Creator has fired us with passion and energy that motivates our growth and direction in life. Kurt Vonnegut said, “Practice any art, music, painting, poetry…no matter how well or badly…to experience becoming, to find out what’s inside you, to make your soul grow.”
The song “Human” by The Killers poses the queshttps://www.azquotes.com/quote/829806tion: Are we human or are we, dancer? To me, the song says that in our struggle for grace and virtue, we’ve all been on the platform of surrender. It’s time to cut the cord from our past and decide if we are human or if we are a dancer.
Looking for the answer may find us on our knees. It’s never too late to become the person we were meant to be. It’s time to “Let go and let God,” based on Psalm 46:10.
In Brandon Lake’s “Hard Fought Hallelujah,” which was sung by Voice winner Adam David, we hear:
So I’mma keep on singing
‘Til my soul catches up with my song.
…
And I’ll bring my storm-tossed, torn-sail
Story to tell Hallelujah
‘Cause God you’ve been patient
God you’ve been gracious.
Ken Rolheiser is an author of six books and a spiritual column PAUSE FOR REFLECTION since 1998. A lay minister in St Joseph’s Parish and an occasional speaker, Ken has been involved in the Canora Ministerial Association and the Archdiocesan Stewardship Committee (as well as others). For details see www.kenrolheiser.com.
