Speaking of Jesus...

As a Christian, I am highly supportive of Christian musicians who include Jesus Christ in their art.  Artists like Lecrae and the metal band "For Today" are a couple of my recent discoveries of musicians who do not shy away from using the name of Jesus in their songs.  I find this very refreshing.  Many Christian artists are content with using vague allusions to Christ in their music rather than coming right out and saying His name.  When I hear a musician, actor, athlete, or person in the public sphere mention the name of Jesus, I rejoice.  I am sure God also rejoices in the boldness of His loyal followers.

Professing Christian musicians in the public eye often face harsh criticism from people in the church.  They can be criticised for their music style, dress, piercings, tattoos, the other bands they tour with, their lyrics, record label, for becoming "secular" or "sell-outs."  It is almost safer to shed a "Christian" label to not have to deal with the judgment of other professing believers who presumes to know how a person should handle stardom.  Realise it is very easy for us to sit in a throne of judgment over other Christians, smugly asserting if we were a famous musician or actor we would use the platform in a far more constructive and evangelical manner.  We wouldn't merely make shadowy allusions of Jesus in our songs, no:  we would come right out as sold-out followers of Jesus Christ!

While we are up on our high-horse in judgment of others who are at least known by the world to be professing Christians, perhaps we would be better served to issue a judgment of ourselves right now.  How often does the name "Jesus" roll off your tongue in casual conversation?  When was the last time you spoke even one complete sentence specifically about Jesus to someone you didn't know?  If praises and glory to God do not flow from us in random conversations during everyday interactions, do we really think we would speak freely of Christ on a stage in front of millions?  He who is faithful in little is faithful over much.  Instead of criticising supposed missed opportunities by others, why not redeem the opportunities God gives you every day?  God has given you personal, direct contact with more people than you realise.  Jesus didn't draw people with music or reach people with an amplified voice from a stage.  He didn't turn the world upside down by interviews over the radio, TV, and online, or with printed lyrics in a CD jewel case, but spoke of the Kingdom of God and lived righteously wherever He went, speaking to all who would listen.

Most Christians think they would better handle the big platform for the glory of God.  I say it is better for us to seize the opportunities God lays before us daily to speak freely to one person the name of Jesus and faithfully live in the way which fully pleases Him.  God may never give you the platform you crave or feel you deserve.  You may never have the opportunity to speak to hundreds, thousands, or millions, but it is the man, woman, and child who faithfully follows Jesus in truth when no one is watching who will actually have anything of value to say on the platform for the glory of God.  Whether or not someone redeems their opportunities, what is that to you?  You follow Jesus and speak of Him often!