I decided I would take the longboard this time, so in case I started feeling sick again I'd at least have a quicker way of getting home. I was just cruising some of the streets of downtown Charleston without really having a destination in mind. I ended up finding myself right at the location that I go to pray sometimes: the dock at Waterfront Park. I couldn't pass up an opportunity to sit on one of the highly desired bench swings and spend some time in prayer.
I had been listening to my iPod the whole time, but it wasn't until I sat down that I started listening to the lyrics. I can't remember exactly what song was on, but I was immediately reminded that I need to be unashamed. As soon as that thought came to mind, I immediately had the peace I had needed in order to go to sleep. The song was by Lecrae, who changed my outlook on worship and evangelism when I was able to see him in concert two times in Milwaukee last year.
I was introduced to Lecrae and the songs "Jesus Muzik" and "Fanatic" when I was attending UW-LaCrosse. I liked them a lot at that time, but I quickly returned to mainstream hip hop. It wasn't until I heard that Lecrae was going to be performing at Rock the Lakes in Milwaukee that I looked up some more of his music. I also checked out the music of a few other guys that are on the same label including Tedashii, PRO, and Trip Lee. Everything I listened to from these guys was firing me up. It wasn't just music this time, but I realized that these artists, who call themselves the 116 clique had greatly influenced my life through their music and their love for the Lord.
Lecrae is a Christian rapper. Most people would hear that and automatically tune out everything that followed. The music that he produces is so much more than what most people consider worship. His music brings knowledge, conviction, and the encouragement to proclaim the name of Christ without shame. Every song is filled with scripture and truth. Every album is produced with Romans 1:16 as the backbone; reminding the listener that there is no need to fear anything while proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord.
I brought Lecrae into my Bible study at home which is all men from the ages of 15-80, and a weekly attendance averaging around 40-50. I told everyone I was going to play a song that they had never heard by a Christian rapper. God had been using the song "Boasting" to refine me and work on my heart, so I decided I should share it with the rest of the group. I could see in their faces that the immediate reaction from the men was a little bit of hesitation and doubt, but as the song came to an end I could sense a somber mood around the room as men were reflecting on what they had just heard. After they heard the truth that Lecrae had brought forward in his music there were fifty year-old men listening to Christian rap as they drove around, and even playing it at their adult Bible studies.
Classical worship music is great, and I love some Chris Tomlin, Third Day and other artists, but I think it's very rare that we're allowing the lyrics of those songs to truly change our hearts. God loves when we praise Him and adorn Him, but God also loves it when we seek out how to better serve Him and love Him. We can only learn how to serve and love by being convicted of those things that keep us from being fully committed to those things, and that's exactly what Lecrae's music does to my life. The words soak deep down into my heart, telling me that it's not at all about me, but all about Him. Those words remind me every day that there is no reason to fear the Gospel. There is no reason to hold back my love for the Lord. There is no reason to not share the gift of Christ with everyone I meet. I knew all these things before, and I thought I understood it all, but it wasn't until the Lord worked on my heart through the lyrics in Lecrae's songs that I fully understood what it means to unashamedly live for the Lord.
That's my whole life now. Every ministry I have here in Charleston is based off of the fact that I don't want to be ashamed of the Gospel. Everything I do is an effort to show the love of Christ to everyone I encounter. I would've never felt the freedom to do any of these things without the continual reassurance that comes through the music of the 116 clique. We can be unashamed because our Savior died for us!
WHAT I RECOMMEND FOR YOU
I don't care who you are or what your taste in music is- "Boasting" will impact your life, so go listen to it. Actually, here's a link! Boasting- Lecrae
What you listen to really does affect your thoughts and actions, just like who you hang out with can bring you reward or trouble. God gave His Son so that we could be redeemed, and because of that I've chosen to be a vessel that God can use for whatever purpose He desires. Ask God what you can do to make His name great. If you listen, I bet He'll tell you to be unashamed!
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