Believe me when I say that I am the firmest believer of being zestful in pursuing what you believe you deserve and what you believe you can get – and the heights you believe you can reach. Yes, I know I have used the word believe four times already. Maybe you did not realise but read again. Annoying? Of course, it is – this kind of redundancy is simply a put-off for readers, especially for those who are very attentive. It is this kind of redundancy that can be an impediment to that purposeful chase of yours. This kind of repetition, without any dynamism, without any vision beyond the box that you are in, without any quantum leap to know what is really happening outside the confines of your mindset can be problematic. It is this kind of self-indulgence in your great use of the same word, the same style, the same thought, and the stubbornness to stick to what you know because you could know better that could literally cripple you or make you look interesting to the rest of the world. Mind you, I am trying to use a different word beyond believe by now. But this is only an imagery to the discussion – the controversial discussion of God, His gospel, and some Grammies.
There has been a plethora of talk recently about the gospel delivered through music, what it contributes to the world, and what and who should contribute to it as a concept. Let me type this well for those who will probably misconstrue. Gospel music has been the most discussed item on various social media platforms in recent days, weeks, years, and times. These discussions are hinged on how the world views gospel music, and how Christians living in the world (and not on Mars) view gospel music. Ultimately, these two views break up in fragments which leads us to argue how gospel music should be presented. Some of these discussions have been whether gospel music should be carved in an industry (the worldly construction of a system where musicians should fairly play and display their work of art), or should be maintained as an ministry. Discussions of who should contribute efforts to creating gospel music – from lyrics to final production – have also surfaced. There have also been discussions of the motives and aims of gospel music promotion and the weirder controversies of honouring artistes with money and artistes going for awards.
Now these discussions are not a problem. That is simply because if Jesus Christ Himself indicated that we are the light of the world, like a city set on a hill, we are clearly in everyone’s view. Wait, before my honourable leaders come with cute canes, that scripture is Matthew 5 verses 14 and 15. So, for everyone who has chosen to be an artiste of gospel music, they will be seen, heard, known by everyone. They are like light. And just like the bulb shining in your office or room right now, you will know when the bulb is too bright or when it is dim. Your opinion and view of the light comes easily. That is why there are too many discussions because everyone would prefer a certain kind of shine, of brightness. If it were only that that city on a hill – the gospel artistes and their music – was to be seen by only Christians (who are Christians), then there would be no problem. God and His gospel would be the only energy needed to brighten that city and Christians would be okay. But this city is in the view of the rest of the world and some Christians who, well, want to be seen as such. Therefore, there would be call for different views, different perspectives, different ideas as to how that light can keep shining and shining brightly.
For the gospel artiste and their music, there will always be a billion ways and a billion suggestions and discussions about what is appropriate to keep them shining. This is simply because they are in everyone’s view and everyone would have their own idea of how they should shine. Some would stick to that which is solely true – if it is indeed gospel music, God and His Word should be the source, the story, and the stage. Period. But the challenge is that we live in a contemporary time where we are reaching beyond those who know the sole truth. I know I should not brand the truth with the adjective sole. However, thanks to our excessively woke generation, I need to be clear so someone will not say my truth as if… Anyway. This challenge of how contemporary our world has become infuses different views that either thin or blur the line of difference. Yes, if the gospel artiste is a musician, should they not be part of a music industry? Should they not join these to ensure they are (humanly) better organised and (supported to) produce better music per the parameters of the industry? Of course. Should they not ensure that their music is everywhere by way of promotions and advertisements? Besides, did Matthew 28:18 -20 not commission us all to go into the nations with the gospel to make disciples? Of course! The promotions mean reaching more nations with the gospel through music. Should they not pursue some awards? Of course! That even brings them to audiences that need to hear the gospel. These are some of the suggestions that breed controversies that make us quiver a little in voicing out a sure response on whether God wants all of this. And should the gospel artiste not be famous? Should he not be a superstar? Should she not make the headlines in terms of fashion, in terms of the Twitter trends, in terms of relating with other superstars through features etc? Of course! Jesus’ fame spread abroad too, according to Mark chapter one.
But the question is why should these be controversial? Why should there be a quiver in our minds even for many of us that are convinced about these worldviews of how the city on a hill should keep shining? What is the worry?
That is because today, in our day, our considerations go beyond only God and His gospel, to the other matters that characterise our daily living as human beings. This is why I have always wished that issues like globalisation, digitalisation, the 4th industrial revolution, feminism, sex, and sexuality be discussed on our pulpits, with scripture as mirror. These other matters have greatly seeped into what we think should be the source, story, sound, and stage of the gospel artiste. Where they stand as a city on a hill cannot be discussed as a place, they can prominently hold without having to engage the transformed society we have today. It is not a problem though. We are not in the days of the harp and cymbals clanging, with loud voices. We are in the era of garage studios on iPhones. We are not in the era where light was a torch of fire. I mentioned bulb up there somewhere. We are not in the era where can enjoy the beauty of the moonlight lately because there are too many streetlights. So yes, the gospel artiste cannot do God and His Gospel without considering the Grammy. The gospel artiste cannot do God and His Gospel without exploring the core societal advancements that play a vital role in ensuring that the music that carries the message is good and that the music reaches the right media for the propagation of the gospel.
But the problem today is how we can almost excuse God, His Gospel and go for the Grammy. In times where it was about the first two, we saw the obvious all through scripture. But in our day, the Grammy – the name, the fame, the world’s standard of quality, the awards, the ungodly contributions, the trends, the industry shenanigans and machinations, the showcases of self, have probably opened an exit for the God of the business and His gospel. So, it is almost like this…
(To be continued…)
Selorm Dogbey 
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