Saturday, September 11, 2010

a lyfe lesson.

This post is for real.
Hang with me for a moment.


I don't think it comes as a surprise to any of you that I enjoy fun, secular music. Especially rap.
Ok, so maybe that last bit was a surprise, but a good few knew that. And most make fun of that.
And that's completely ok with me! I guess it is pretty funny and random if you don't know me well.

If we're being real for a second, let me tell you why I enjoy this kind of music so much.
I go to church, school, and home. That's my routine. My boyfriend, my parents, and my friends are all Christians.
It is so easy for me to seclude myself from the world, and continue to live a life completely unaware of what happens outside of the "Christian-bubble".
 I think you guys are getting my point.
When I listen to this kind of music (with the right heart, of course), it just really helps me stay grounded, and my heart to stay open and aware of the way others live. The lyrics are terrible. I'm not even gonna' lie. Terrible.
And most times, as I'm singing along, I stop dead in my belting out of someone like Waka Flocka Flame's lyric and think, "WTF?! People are listening to this song, singing it, and believing it! LIVING IT!" And then I get really, really sad.

You know I am a big fan of how everyone is created differently and purposefully, so I'm 100% ok with people not listening to this music, and thinking it's the devil's music. If someone can't listen to this music without it tearing them down, or affecting their lifestyle, then shoot! ...Stay away!
People are just different. And I believe that God uses every and any tool He wants in this earth to speak, preach, love on, and heal every different person. So if this music offends you, then that's your heart so you should be true to it! But understand that it's not the same heart someone else has. Be glad in that! This is just how God uses this music in my life.

I can't pretend that all of my reasons are so noble.
You know I love me a good dance song! I love to dance, and particularly love dancing to this kind of music. I can't deny it. If you don't think God like's dancing, well... we'll just have to chat about that another time.

ANYWAY, my point: ("fewth", right?)
A few months ago I heard this song on the radio.
The artist is Lyfe Jennings. To make a long story short, he was sent to jail in 1992 for arson, and turned his life around. While he was in jail, he wrote music and rekindled his faith in God. He went to jail again in 2008, and has had many ups and downs since then. I'm not sure how he stands now in his faith, but that doesn't keep me from having a whole lot of respect for him for reasons I'm about to explain.

His song out now is called "Statistics."
And in a world of lyrics like:

"have a baby by me, baby, be a millionaire" -50 cent
and
"She don't care if I go to the strip club. She wanna go, too" - Trey Songz
(and many others I just can't bring myself to put on here...)


it's so nice to hear "DON'T BE A BOOTY CALL!"
For real.
"Statistics" is a song that preaches to girls to stand up and stop giving in to men. He even talks about celibacy. ON 94.1!!!!!!
Yall, this is huge. Pop out for a second if you're a google reader and listen to this song.









It really just makes me tear up when I think about it. Although I might not agree with Lyfe's theology, I'm so stinkin proud of him for putting out a song like this. The song doesn't mention God once, but I believe with everything that I am that God is using Lyfe. God is using this song. And it gives me goosebumps when I really stop and think about how amazing, creative, and unbelievable God is and how, what, and when He uses things you never would have thought to bring Him glory. I know you might not see this song as bringing Him glory, but I do! There just might be a girl that lives in a world full of nothing but Young Money, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Drake, and Usher, but she also might be singing to herself "girl, get you a backbone!" You never know, it might stick. She might realize her worth. She might realize her worth sits with some One bigger than any worldly thing. You just never know what God can do!!!


Alright, that's all I have.

3 comments:

trixerelixer said...

i love you! and i love that we share a love of rap music! and i'm a big fan of that song! thanks for sharing dearie!

Anonymous said...

Let me tell u something even funnier, I'm on my last tour and you couldn't even imagine the trials I am going through right now. Its the worst time of my life honestly. And I was sitting here contemplating...things. And for some strange reason fell apon your post. It was something I needed to hear. You probably couldn't understand what ur words ment.

Lyfe

Anonymous said...

I am a student of your mother and I just wanted you to know that I loved your post. You have an amazing mom and I can just tell she raised you right.

Cierra Williams