I got up at six this morning to finish an article that’s plagued me for weeks. I’ve never had such a hard time writing anything before. I’ve tried, I really have. I’ve half written it a dozen times and completed four versions in all.
The first one was an attack on all that’s wrong with the Christian music industry. With the pen as my sword I jumped on the back of the ne’r-do-wells at labels and radio stations and gave them quite a beating, while, at the same time, guarding myself against accusations of arrogance by admitting just enough failures of my own to appear humble – like a fellow broken traveler worth listening to.
The second article was about the Good News. The Good News isn’t that you and I are going to heaven someday, I said, but that heaven comes through us today. The Good News is the kingdom and it happens when God reigns over and repairs this world through us. Then I closed by explaining how great I am at the whole doing God’s will on earth as it’s done in heaven thing.
The third was a modernization of the Lord’s Prayer. I took each line and elaborated, reprayed it in my own eloquent way, with all sorts of verbose and poetic additions. I’m such a good writer and so smart I can even improve God’s words.
The fourth was about allegiance and the upcoming elections and how early Christians frowned upon making any pledge to a Caesar and wouldn’t even allow church members to fight in his armies. Like me, I asserted, they didn’t think they were citizens of a nation with flags and borders but citizens of heaven only. The suggestion I made was subtle but I think you would have gotten it: You’re a bad person if you’re a good American. I’m a good person because I don’t vote, I believe the Church and not the government exists to fix this world, and I’m all for Christian non-violence and against the war in Iraq. Oh, and I don’t pledge allegiance to the flag. See how weirdly cool and countercultural I am?
Then my inbox dinged at me, just as I began draft number five. It was my friend Brant from WAY-FM down in Florida. He’s sick today. We shot a few small talkish e-mails back and forth and then I told him briefly that I was working on an article that will be in the Gospel Music Week edition of Christian Radio Weekly – kind of important I said. I don’t know what they need to hear, I said. Any suggestions, I asked.
He wrote back: Authenticity. He said he’s been wanting to write something on the subject himself. He said authenticity is what people will tune in to hear – that it’s essential to be authentic if we’re going to communicate well. He wondered if maybe in all my years of being in the music industry I could come up with a few examples of inauthenticity in it – some instances of people acting better than they are, being high and mighty, impossible to relate to.
Yea, I think I have a few of those. Four of them actually.
Jessica Lofbomm says:
The authenticity on your shlog keeps me reading every day. Thanks for what you do to push buttons, encourage and entertain. I know that being authentic, you need some affirmation like the rest of us, so good job. I appreciate you.
-Jessica
Taylor Smith says:
Shaun,
To echo Jessica’s statements, this blog is authentic to me. To me, its not only authentic, its transparent. Being authentic is you saying “this is who I am” and you tell me the truth. This blog or “shlog” is more than that. You daily show us who you are, enough for me to feel comfortable calling you by your first name. Even though we’ve never met, we’re not technically “friends”, I feel that you’ve let me, and the others that read this blog, into your life, your mindset, and your heart.
Mark says:
Don’t you just hate that?
Cali Amy says:
Great post. You are such a fantastic writer.
I enjoy the blog and your willingness to share your mistakes and failures as well as your acheivements.
Dan "da Man" says:
I thought it was rather ironic that I was listening to the “Mini-Mall” cover while reading a post titled “Authenticity”.
shaunfan says:
Shaun, by all means authenticity is your strong point in your writing. Especially your willingness to be controversial which is refreshing. Keep up the great work, I really enjoy reading your blog everyday.
Kevin
Grovesfan says:
I’ve never known you to be anything but authentic. Both times you’ve been interviewed by the radio station here before coming in concert, LeeAnn commented that you are so very honest and transparent and you are her favorite person to interview because of it. I for one appreciate your honesty with me, even when it’s not what I necessarily want to hear. It’s what I NEED to hear and your value of the truth means enough to always share it with me no matter what. Thanks for that friend.
Beth