Keepin' It Real

Tonight my wife and I had a rare privilege, in more ways than one. For starters, we had an evening away from the kids, courtesy of my wonderful mother, who was in town and all-too-willing to watch the children (for the second night in a row) so we could go out. That by itself would have been enough for a great night, but it got better. We were able to attend - FREE of charge, thanks to Stacey being a church employee - an Amy Grant performance at the Majestic Theater, with the San Antonio Symphony.

I was raised on Amy's music (she's on first-name basis in the Morrison household), and her Christmas music especially is woven tightly into the fabric of my existence. That may seem like an overstatement, but it's really not; Christmas music in general, but especially hers and Michael W. Smith's, is so meaningful to me, and brings me so much joy, that I really consider it an important part of who I am. I think my family would be quick to confirm that.

So it's thrilling for me to see her live, to hear her re-creating the music that has come to mean so much to me and my family. And she didn't disappoint tonight. It was a great cross-section of all her music, ranging from worshipful to romantic to contemplative to just fun. And it made me realize again how much I really do - and should - value the music that shaped who I am today: unironically and unapologetically faith-based.

It's easy for me to fall prey to the pride-driven thinking that my tastes are too "sophisticated" for the "simplistic" nature and message of Christian music, but every time I allow myself to honestly consider that, I come back to the same realization: that's a destructive delusion. The most talentless, unoriginal musician who seeks to glorify God in song is a greater gift to humanity than all the most artful and celebrated musicians who seek only their own fulfillment. This is not to say there is no value in music that does not, either by ignorance or choice, acknowledge and glorify God--music can be an important part of the journey toward faith. This is also not to say that it's unacceptable for a Christian to dislike or be uninspired by certain Christian music. It is saying, however, that for me to think that music with a clearer - and higher - purpose than pushing the artistic envelope, making money and scoring hotties isn't good enough to share space on an iPod with something "cool" like Gwen Stefani... well, that's just backwards.

So I have to thank Amy Grant for reminding me of how powerful music can be when put to that higher purpose and held to a higher standard. And while I'm at it, I should thank my parents for instilling in me the sense that what sounds right is ultimately more important than what sounds "good". And thank the Lord, for not giving up on giving me chances to remember that.