Shaun Groves
A friend asked me last week if I still felt “called” to music. We’ll see.
In 1 Samuel 14 there’s this odd story about how Jonathan discerned God’s will. The Israelites were huddled under a tree with their king and high priest. The enemy is looking down on them from the ridge above, laughing at them, cursing their God. The priest is praying under the tree, asking God if he’s calling them to attack his enemies.
Jonathan and his servant sneak off and start climbing the ridge, shimmying up to start a fight. The odds aren’t good: Two against hundreds.
Jonathan doesn’t know, anymore than the priest waiting under the tree for a divine invitation, if God wants him to fight. But he can’t wait.
He says to his servant, “Perhaps the LORD will act on our behalf.”
Jonathan seems to be saying Well, if we win it was God’s will. If we die, I guess not.
I can’t write like I used to. Back then, before I had three kids and officed out of my house, I could pound away on a guitar and piano all day and even into the night until I had ten songs I loved enough to share with the world. It took time. Lots and lots of uninterrupted time. Time and quiet and space are luxuries I just don’t have anymore.
So what happens is I get an idea and start chasing it. I get a great melody formed and maybe a fragment of lyric and then I’m asked to play Skipbo, or a five year-old walks in and wants to play Twinkle Twinkle with me, or a blogger calls me back about going on the next trip, or I remember I need to mail out CDs or fax that contract, or someone’s taking a nap so I need to keep it down or…
For five years now I’ve used the pace of life as a dad and blogger and self-managed indie artist as an excuse for not writing more often and better. I’ve been waiting for a great song to just miraculously happen between this or that. But no more.
I’m co-writing for the first time ever really. I’m reaching out to the best writers I know and asking them to help me climb the ridge. I’m hoping two brains in a room away from my house can fight better than my brain alone in my office. We’ll see what God’s calling me to.
According to Jonathan, if I fail it’s not music.
Jen~Beautiful Mess says:
Praying for you! and looking forward to what God has for you!
misty says:
Praying for you.
NancyTyler says:
Step back, lock yourself away and create beautiful words and sounds. As much as your music of the last nine years has meant to me, I’m of the prayerful opinion that your best lyrics are still ahead.
Praying for you the same thing I pray for myself–focus, discipline and the courage to write down the words when they come.
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks, Nancy. How’s that book coming? ; )
Do you have a favorite lyricist? I’m guessing Peter Gabriel and Patty Griffin are not options for co-writing. But who else?
NancyTyler says:
Uhhhh, book? Well, I did an intervention on myself recently and had to admit that I’ve been hiding behind commuting and working 12 hours a day for The Man as an excuse not to go home and do something more creative than slapping a sandwich together and hitting the TV remote or putzing around on IM. I can’t believe how hard this cycle is for me to break. Pray for me, somebody?
Now, why are you co-writing? Primarily for the accountability or do you think the final product will be that much better? Are there artist spaces or practice rooms around Nashville where you can hole up and face the music–so to speak–without a background of Chutes and Ladders and bloggy things going on?
Shaun Groves says:
I’ll pray for you, Nancy. Always do. You’re truly the most talented writer I know. Would be a shame not to put that talent to use for someone other than The Man ; )
I’m co-writing because I’ve got lots of music but no words and none in sight. I’m stuck, truly run aground kind of stuck. I’m hoping a collaboration will force me to let go of perfectionism (because co-writing is all about compromise), free up time to write (because there’s an appointment to keep), and simply get started.
I’m wondering if it’ll be like training wheels and once I get a couple songs rolling I can ride on my own again. I don’t know. I just know I can’t keep waiting. I’ve got to start climbing or die here in this valley (how’s that for melodramatic metaphor?)
NancyTyler says:
With an endorsement like that, how can I not scrape up the courage to battle the blocks and demons again? Thanks, Shaun.
Betting you won’t need those training wheels at all. 😉
Thomas says:
Praying, Nancy….
NancyTyler says:
Thanks so much, Thomas.
Meredith says:
Now, I mean this as a compliment and not a jab at your age, but…
I gew up listening to you. Your songs truly (I’m really not trying to be cheesy, I swear) taught me how to worship and be honest– that is to say, it’s ok to admit when you’re not OK. I can’t tell you how freeing that was. The lyrics and melodies really hit home and made me feel a little less crazy and a lot more human.
I’m grateful you are back in the swing on writing. Bring it on.
Shaun Groves says:
Ouch.
And also thank you very much for the encouragement.
Honored to be a small part of your life, Meredith.
Kiriseth says:
I’m so happy for you and praying for you as you begin this endeavor. I love your music (as I have said a zillion times), but as a parent I can COMPLETELY understand how your time is not your own. I go home at the end of each day with good intentions on what will be done, what has to be done, etc., etc., and I instead get sucked into all the “stuff” that goes into being a single mom. My thoughts are not even my own, most of the time. I’m praying that your collaboration(s) are successful, and I eagerly await hearing your new stuff.
Dawn~Canada says:
We all need help from time to time. It’s a good thing. I don’t think we were ever meant to fly solo permanently. Blessings!
Ruth says:
Hmmm…. I just read that story not to long ago, but I think I perceive it a little differently than you. I mean yes, it does seem that he’s spoiling for a fight and goes and takes a dare with his life. But it seems to me there’s a little bit of faith involved too, because he says, “For nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few.” And armorbearer replies, “Do what is in your heart.” Now if you have confidence in God, great things can be accomplished either with many or with few, Jonathan was obviously not wrong there for God brought about a victory that day. So then, did he really go by chance, or did God lay it on his heart to go and he was simply being obedient?
Are you really going by chance or is God laying this on your heart? If he’s laying it on your heart to partner up, then I have no doubt it’ll be great!
Shaun Groves says:
Probably some of both, Ruth, to be honest.
I want to write more than I’ve ever wanted to write before. With mixed motives.
But it’s hard to tell if a want-to is a whisper from self or from God. That’s where the chance comes in.
It’s not a total roll of the dice. There is a desire. It’s just a gamble as to whether that desire is mine or divine.
I like your interpretation. Comforting to know I’m not swinging that sword alone…or at all.
Paula from Northern Ireland says:
Praying that you will be able to interpret the whisper and discern if it is a call to obedience. Your music has become a big part of our family – my 4 year old loves the “man who plays the guitar like daddy” with SING being the “best ever – apparently!!!” – although I don’t think daddy would be too happy that it wasn’t one of his!
Ron says:
Unlike Meredith I’m older than you are. So I wouldn’t dare jab at your age. I youth pastored forever and introduced many to your music. Anyway, the point is … I miss it. So I join the praying team. I do so selfishly because I want to hear more. Now I’m sitting in the big chair (of a small church) and I’m needing the kind of inspiration I use to receive from my never-met-friend, Shaun Groves. So get to it, young ‘en! I’m hungry and waiting ….
Princess Leia says:
W/re: working from home – As someone who “works” from (a VERY SMALL) home which is completely filled with two preschoolers, I feel your pain.
W/re: collaboration – I think sometimes we just need someone else to put into words the things we’ve been trying to say even in our own minds. Prayers that you will find that perfect writing partner.
W/re: desire – And I think sometimes we are given a break from something exactly so that we’ll remember our (God-given) passion for it. Jumping back in has its occasional bumps, but God blesses it. The “desert time” brings perspective and experience, and the renewed passion allows you to get past human quirks (like perfectionism) because you’re so desperate to do it again.
Carole Turner says:
I tell people who ask me “how do you know..” that I often times take off running like a spaz and if God trips me up and I fall flat on my face, then so be it, guess I was supposed to learn from the pain of skinned knees, elbows and face.
Great post, as usual.
Liz says:
Shaun,
The 2 songs you posted here recently blew me away. Did you get my FB message where I even blogged about one of them? Here it is again in case you missed it.
http://liz-ourblessedfamily.blogspot.com/2010/04/ive-got-you.html
I’ll be praying for your project!
Todd Cantrell says:
Shaun, I think collaborating is a great idea, and be assured that God will be there:
“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”
Matthew 18:19-21
Want to tip your hat on who you are working with? I’ve met so many brilliant artists, including yourself, as part of the Acoustic Jeremiah concerts. Hopefully, you can collaborate with some of them. Take care!
redheadkate says:
Hope this makes you laugh…
Ode to Shaun’s Lack of Words
I have all this music
No words, none in sight
The desire is here
Just can’t get it right
I’ve run aground
Things are all amuck
This valley is low
How do I get unstuck?
Need a collaborator
One with the terms
To help with songs
And my ability affirms
Mela Kamin says:
Collaborating with two other artists, who also happen to be session musicians & my Producers was hard for this Editor. I’m used to having the final say on the final draft, so putting myself out there for someone else’s red pen was emotional for me.
But, it was within that space that several songs were created – a few just “happened” as we sat in the room going over melodies & lines. And every time I sing them, I’m reminded to be humble in my abilities & generous in recognizing the gifts of others. Now, I jump at the chance to get in the room with other writers. I pray you’ll have a wonderful experience too.
Love this line, by the way: “There is a desire. It’s just a gamble as to whether that desire is mine or divine.” I get that, as I struggled to figure out if I was taking a leap of faith to show how great I was, or how great God is.
Angie Raess says:
I’ve definitely become addicted to your blog Shaun. Even though I’m in a different situation, I understand the absolute pull to continue writing. In the same breath, it feels as if coming up with even a cluster of lyrics is like juicing a lime… only a few precious drops at a time.
I don’t believe that God gives us gifts and abilities that are only used for a season and then null and void forever… but how and when they’re used is different. I think the idea you’re exploring of co-writing is a great idea! I think as artists we can tend to compare every thing to our peek potential… its our curse and blessing at the same time. I think now is a season of letting go and moving forward in exploring new methods, whether it be co-writing, producing… even blogging. 🙂 A lot of us have been hanging on to the coat tails of our stagnant dreams, I look forward to new creations in us all. Best wishes everyone!