How Great

In Ephesians 4, we read about oral discipline - that's not a dental term; no, I think it illustrates spiritual truth.  That chapter contains the admonition to speak the truth in love.  Later, in verse 25, we read:
25 Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.
26 "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.

There is lots of anger these days - people are frustrated by what they see in the so-called "political" realm; perhaps, economically, things aren't quite falling into place.  Families are fractured and our schedules are stressed.  But, as we approach the boiling point, we can remember our Prince of Peace, who wants us to adopt His posture.  His Word, our source of truth, can shape our thinking - and our speaking.  God does not want us to be consumed with anger, but overwhelmed by Him.

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In John 8, Jesus is teaching about His relationship with the Father...we pick up in verse 29:
29 And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him."
30 As He spoke these words, many believed in Him.
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Well, if you thought the Grammys last night were going to get political, you would have been correct; that was a no-brainer.  But, if you thought a gospel choir would take the stage and sing Chris Tomlin's "How Great is Our God," well, now that was certainly unexpected, and I think it illustrates the opportunity for believers in Christ to elevate the discussion.

Let's talk about Chance the Rapper - he won three awards last night, including New Artist of the Year. His performance was described on the music website, Pitchfork:

Chance the Rapper, who was nominated for seven awards at tonight’s Grammys, gave an enormous spiritual performance of Coloring Book’s “How Great” and “All We Got” during the ceremony. He was joined by Kirk Franklin, Francis and the Lights, Tamela Mann, and a huge gospel choir. He also added in little snippets of “No Problem” and “Blessings.”

By the way, it was a great night for Kirk and his former background singer, Tamela - their collaboration, God Provides, won for Best Gospel Performance/Song, and Kirk won Best Gospel Album for Losing My Religion.  In 2 of the other Christian/Gospel categories, a mainstream artist who did a Christian album, Hillary Scott of the country supergroup Lady Antebellum, won two Grammys, and Joey+Rory won one.

So, what's up with Chance the Rapper?  The Tennessean stated:

Chance's faith has been at the forefront of his music, and that carried over into his acceptance speech.

"Glory be to God," he said from the podium. "I claim this victory in the name of the Lord."

Chance hails from Chicago, and an article on the Christianity Today website, written by Philadelphia pastor Watson Jones III said this:

If there’s any identity that might compete with Chance’s South Side status, it’s his newfound Christianity, which the rapper has repeatedly referenced on social media and incorporated into the album. One repeated theme: being a Christian has made Chance far more aware of his own flaws, even as he recognizes God’s love for him and his desire for redemption in the midst of the complexities of his own life. In Coloring Book, Chance assumes this posture toward Chicago’s South Side, which suffers from disproportionate poverty and violence. On the album, Chance names his community’s flaws while underscoring his undying love, loyalty, and hope for it.

He certainly has a heart for his city.  At the age of 21, he was involved, along with his father, deputy chief of staff for the mayor, in leading a successful moratorium on gun violence.  Jones writes:

Chance’s faith offers him hope that Jesus can deliver Chicago from the ills of gang violence and police brutality. (“Someday Chicago will be free,” sings Kirk Franklin on “Finished Line/Drown.”) But it’s also personal. The primary source of this conviction? The way Chance has seen his own life play out. This isn’t blind optimism. Chance used to “hide from God.” Having been rescued from “the slums” of life, Chance now observes grace transform his own life. To him, that same change is possible for Chicago.

Chance can remind us that you don't have to be a mature Christian, a Christian that has it all together, in order to try to enact change and be a voice for Christ.  None of us has arrived, but God wants to use us just as we are, where we are.

So, back to that injection of spiritual truth into the Grammys.  Yes, there were reports on the number of political statements that were made in the awards show.  And, against that backdrop, the truth was proclaimed - How Great is Our God.  I'm disturbed by the rancor, the division, the name-calling, and the lack of civility that we're seeing in our land; some of it is spontaneous, much of it is being manipulated and the flames fanned.   But, do we believe that God is greater?   In an age when even professing Christians get lured into being part of the culture of division, people can unite around a message of hope - and truth.  As Jesus said, "the truth shall make you free." And, remember, we don't have to adopt the posture or language of the world in order to be a strong voice for Jesus.