Nothing Else Matters

I’LL SOON BE RELEASING MY FIRST PROJECT IN 6 YEARS! Sorry for the CAPS but, as you might expect, I’m extremely excited about it! But why should anyone else be excited about it? Why should anyone care? What difference does it make whether or not I drop new music? What significance, if any, does my music have? Why does it matter?

We all have gifts, according to the grace given to us, and scripture says we are called to use them (Romans 12:6-8). While they undoubtedly bring us personal joy, I believe our gifts are primarily meant to be shared with those around us and add value to their lives. As much as you may enjoy writing, cooking, teaching, serving, painting, playing sports, providing care for patients, practicing law, playing an instrument, wood-working, or whatever your gift(s) may be, it was given to you for the purpose of helping other people.

As most of you may be aware, one of my gifts is making music. Believe it or not, I was consistently using that gift during the 6 years I was in Exile. Yep, that’s right, I made plenty of music, but I was keeping it to myself rather than sharing it with others. I’d forgotten and lost sight of the true purpose of my gift: to impact the lives of those who choose to listen to my music.

I’d forgotten the reason I make music is to impact the lives of those who choose to listen.

More specifically, the reason I make music is to give God an opportunity to reveal Himself through the gift He has given me. I make music to share my story with others, to tell them what I believe is most important in life. I make music to exalt Jesus, further His kingdom, and to help fulfill The Great Commission.

I make music to encourage believers who may feel discouraged about the current direction of our ever-changing, secular culture. I make music to speak on behalf of those who might feel that their words aren’t being heard, and for those who think their opinions don’t matter. I make music to give a voice to the unborn. I make music to share my convictions, instilled by my faith in Christ, about celibacy, sobriety, faithfulness, and holiness because I know the Holy Spirit can use my music to strengthen listeners whose consciences reciprocate. I make music to tell my story because I know God can use it to encourage, console or strengthen someone during a time they may need it most.

I believe our sole purpose in life is to ultimately bring God glory. I believe glorifying the Father primarily consists of following His commandments, the greatest of which is to love Him, followed by loving others as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). Our gifts, in my opinion, are a means by which we can faithfully love both God and neighbor. Our gifts were graciously given to us by a loving God, in all His ubiquitous glory, and provide us with a unique way of proudly proclaiming and incessantly glorifying His name.

I don't know where you are in life. I don’t know where you are in your walk with Christ. I may not know your story or the gift with which you were blessed, but I encourage you to share it with others. I implore you to share your trials, hardships, and struggles, as well as your triumphs and successes, because I do know that God can use your testimony to reveal Himself to others. God can use you and your gifts to lead people to trust Christ, which is the biggest impact any of us could ever hope or pray to have.

So, as you can see, our gifts really do matter. Your gift matters. And my music matters.

Exile is coming.

Update: Get your free copy of Exile below!