Shaun Groves
“It’s not called ‘the word business’ for a reason,” my co-writer joked as I agonized over the next line of a lyric years ago. I hadn’t been in Nashville long – but long enough to know he was wrong.
Christian music is the only genre defined by its lyrical content and not musical composition and production. (Unless you count “Spanish” as a genre, I guess.) I’m not getting into an argument – as some are in the habit of doing on the interwebs – about whether “Christian” should be an adjective at all, or how “Christian music” should be defined, or whether it should even exist, blah blah blah.
Not. The. Point.
The point is that words matter. Perhaps more in Christian music than in any other genre. Especially to Presbyterian producers and bible-lovin’ A&R guys.
They didn’t understand the apostrophe in the phrase “all’s grace,” for instance. “Is it possessive? What does that mean?” So I changed it to “all is grace.” (Sorry, Ann.) All’s cleared up now.
Then there was the song Come By Here. The chorus says “Come and meet us here, come and touch our tears and we will weep no more…” That gave Mitch and the A&R guy the wrong impression. They thought I was preaching some brand of prosperity gospel and about to launch my own television ministry – Come to Jesus and all your problems will go away! So, now the chorus reads “that we may weep no more.” Doesn’t roll of the tongue as well, but…
Even after all this tweaking I still realize I will be misunderstood at some point by someone listening to this record. That’s part poetry’s fault, part lazy listening perhaps, and part the limitations of this writer’s skill.
Inevitable.
Frightening really.
Frightening because I’m not risking giving someone the wrong impression of a girl or a sunset here. I’m risking misrepresenting God and what allegiant life with God is like.
If ever there were a convincing argument against “Christian music” this would be it for me: That when finite beings with a rhyming dictionary and four chords sit down to say something about God they will sometimes miss the mark. And even when they don’t, someone will likely believe they have.
I write about God because I love Him deeply. And yet because I love Him, I’m afraid to write about Him.
Tomorrow we press “record.” I face my fears and believe in grace. God’s. And yours.
Thankful for both.
Lindsay says:
I’m right here right now. Writing and praying and hoping to be able to impart just the tiniest glimpse of Him to my listeners. It’s terrifying, honestly.
I’ll quietly and privately mourn the loss of “all’s grace,” but it’ll be okay. 🙂 I can’t wait to hear this album.
Praying for you this week, Shaun.
Katie says:
Amen!
Ann Voskamp says:
Oh, this, exactly, and I’ve tried stopping but there’s just no getting around it and Jeremiah knew it:
Pent up passion inside the bones, it burns itself into letters… lyrics.
There is a reason why flames waver… trembling.
Ann Voskamp says:
All *is* grace,
Ann
🙂
Shaun Groves says:
: )
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) says:
Yes. Oh how I understand this. But how the fear keeps my words on this side of the screen. And how your courage and Shaun’s courage inspires me to risk being misunderstood. To risk getting it wrong because of grace.
kit says:
good post!
Gina Martin says:
Shaun, you don’t know me. I’ve been following your blog for a while, and I want you to know that there are strangers out here (and believe me when I tell you, it doesn’t get much stranger than me!) interceding for you with the Father as you have gone through this process. God knows your fallibility, but He also knows your desire to worship Him and present His truth to others. Even Christ himself was misunderstood by imperfect human understanding, so can we expect more?
As we prepare here in Texas to present the passion of our Lord to our community, know that you are being lifted before God himself for strength, wisdom, clarity and surety.
Godspeed, Shaun, as you carry the message.
Taylor says:
Great post. And exactly like what we preachers go through (or at least should go through) as we get ready for each Sunday.
MJ says:
I’m pretty sure God is more than capable of putting you in your place if you get it “wrong” but to let fear silence your lyrics and love of Him would just be letting Satan have his way.
Most of us have to walk in faith, you have to compose/write/sing in faith. And we get to sit back and listen..
Remember it is all recorded in the big book already so what do you have to lose….
Kris says:
your seeking Him and giving it all for his glory, I have no doubt he will honor and bless your words, His words, through you, to further his kingdom. Hold nothing back. Can’t wait to hear it!
Rhonda says:
Tomorrow, you’ll just be worshipping and bringing God glory with a light on in a studio to capture the moments so that we can join in the worship.
Continuing to pray for you.
Kelli says:
I think the true danger for a Christian artist comes when he makes the project more about the music than about God Himself. That’s when the message gets muddy, watered down and easily misrepresented.
You have shared your heart on this blog and given us a glimpse into your passion for others, for music and most of all, for Jesus. Tomorrow when you hit record, I feel fully confident that God will fill in the blanks. I believe there are plenty of talented artists but I also believe that God anoints some music with an extra measure of Himself. If your CD comes out with half the amount of wisdom that comes through your blog, I think listeners are in for a wonderful, worshipful experience.
I don’t know you outside of the confines of this little square of internet, but I do sense a true power behind your words that I know can’t come from you alone. I can’t wait to hear the music that God has swelled within you!
Brad says:
Shaun, FWIW, I hope you feel the freedom to dive into this with abandon. Grace and peace to you.
Beth says:
I’m a lurker, turned supporter, because your blog (and your music) draws me to Jesus. Yes, exactly what Brad says…with abandon. And I’m looking forward to wearing my t-shirt and worshiping to your CD…with abandon.
JennaB says:
“I write about God because I love Him deeply. And yet because I love Him, I’m afraid to write about Him.”
This is so powerful. Praying today.
Kristy K says:
I’ve been seeing this fear on many of the art blogs I read – writers, musicians, etc… It’s a fear of mine as I write as well.
I think often of my mother in law’s advice to me about parenting… “As long as you are seeking to glorify God with all your heart, you won’t mess this up.”
Like Brad said above, I do hope you feel freedom to just do it… it’s not a mistake that you’re making this album and we’re going to listen to it and share it!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says:
Makes me think of Josh Wilson’s “Three Minute Song”
“I tried to write a song and keep it 3 minutes long
Get in, get out, nobody gets hurt
And I tried a thousand times to fit God between the lines
But I’m finding out that doesn’t really work”
Meirav says:
“I write about God because I love Him deeply. And yet because I love Him, I’m afraid to write about Him.” – I feel the same. I blog about him, and it’s scary because I definitely will be misunderstood, I definitely will not phrase everything perfectly, because, guess what, I’m human. I take comfort in the fact that God has consistently chosen to use fallible human beings (plus the odd donkey) to speak his message.
I’m just glad to hear about your wrestling with the words of your songs, because I do sometimes feel that there are Christian songs written without enough thought put into the words. So I’m glad to hear there’s a Christian song writer out there who does pause to change something that can be misunderstood, who cares enough about the message to tweak it and improve it. We can’t create perfection, but we can do our best.
Thomas says:
First of all, praying for you Shaun. Cannot wait to hear the new record.
While reading this post I could not help but think of the post that Jason Gray wrote for the Rabbit Room about his song “More Like Falling In Love” and some of the push back he received about the song.
http://www.rabbitroom.com/?p=12156
Shaun Groves says:
I’ll have to read that when I’ve got some time. (I have a problem with that lyric myself ; ) Thanks for the link.
Amy says:
http://faithlikemustard.wordpress.com/?s=Jason+Gray
Megan covered this song and I liked how Jason Gray was gracious enough to stop by her post and explain what the song meant to him when he wrote it. 🙂
Jason Gray says:
Hey you turkey. After all the times I’ve left sweet little affirming comments on your blog, you leave a turd on mine?
I’m just kidding (kind of ;- ). I hope you’ll check out my reply.
Shaun Groves says:
Ha! Love talking about music with better musicians, Jason. Thanks for that opportunity.
And have you EVER left sweet little anything on my blog? Nice try. ; )
Patricia (Pollywog Creek) says:
I’ve always loved your writing, Shaun, but nothing you have ever written has spoken as pointedly to me as this.
Praying for you today – right now – and praising God that you and Ann are risk-takers.
Sarah C says:
Thank you. Thank you for the words and music that you share. They speak to my heart and help turn this hard heart toward Him. I’m looking forward to hearing the fruit of this week.
TJ MacLeslie says:
Thanks for writing this. I discovered you today through Ann’s link, and I’m so glad I followed the link. As a communicator (mostly speaking with a new sideline in writing) I find myself struggling with exactly this fear. Even on my best day, with my best intentions, I will almost certainly be misunderstood. Speaking of God is a risky thing, but it seems to be the way He wants it. Each of us sharing what we are learning, how we are experiencing Him. Each offering something different in our own voice and our own perspective, but somehow influencing and informing each others experience. Thanks for sharing yours! I pray that the recording goes well and look forward to hearing what you produce!