Shaun Groves
Seven shows into a tour and already I don’t need God.
By this time I know the crew, the artists, the musicians well enough that any trepidation that comes with forging new relationships has worn off. I don’t struggle to make conversation anymore, to find common ground.
By this time I know what to sing and how much to say in between to make the most of my time slot without going over. I’ve stopped tweaking the set list, rewriting the banter in an effort to connect quickly and meaningfully with the audience.
By this time I know what questions to ask the runner on the way to the hotel and to the venue. I don’t worry that we’ll sit in awkward silence.
By this time I know what story to tell about which Compassion child. I know what matters to Mark and Anita’s audience, what they find compelling, what moves the largest percentage of the them to action.
By this time in the tour I’ve got it figured out – the people, the routines, the music, the pitch. I’m confident. Finally comfortable.
And I read the words of Dwight Edwards for the umpteenth time this morning and underline a paragraph I’ve never noticed before. And never needed more.
“Apart from me you can do nothing” – Those words have not a trace of exaggeration in them. Yet our flesh tries to keep the prideful hope alive of accomplishing something worthy on our own. Usually we try it in areas that we consider our strengths: our intellect, our personal discipline, our godly upbringing (if we were so blessed), our personality traits, or our Christian training or education.
The chisel digs deeper…
When we read our Bibles without bothering to ask for His enlightening, when we make plans and decisions without genuinely waiting to hear from God, we prove our conviction that unaided intellect is all we need.
And deeper…
Personal discipline can be a counterfeit of the self-control that is a fruit of the Spirit. So it is with any of our perceived personality strengths. Charm and empathy can be counterfeits for love, cheerfulness for joy, steadiness for peace.
By this time…My confidence is comfortable and my comfort leaves me prayerless and independent. My silence says to God “I’ve got it from here.” The Holy Spirit stands side-stage, watching the show from just behind the curtain.
But through Dwight I hear Paul this morning. What began in the Spirit should continue in the Spirit.
Continue in the Spirit. Dependent. Prayerful. Accepting no substitutes.
Kyndra says:
Isn’t that the original sin? Adam and Eve to God ” No worries, God, you made us and we can enlighten ourselves and work with what you gave us without any further input from you. You can relax and trust us.”
Riiiight.
So easy a thing to fall into, so hard to reap the consequences…K
dave pettigrew says:
shaun, agreed. thanks for this. needed it. need it every day. need it every night we step on stage to lead worship, to perform a show or just sit down to a family dinner. the harsh truth is that we don’t have it from here, we need God, Jesus, the spirit every moment. it’s so easy to get caught up in that phrase “i’ve got it from here”. ugh. frustrating. so human, so self centered and so selfish. i pray every day that God would give me His guidance, His strength and His grace & mercy. We don’t have it from here, He’s got it from here, always has and always will. thanks again….
Mackenzi says:
Thank you.
With anything I do that is new, this year homeschooling, I just can’t wait to get ‘in the groove’. I like feeling comfortable and confident. My flesh also likes other people to think I have it all under control. Isn’t she amazing? Blech.
I feel convicted to have peace and rest right in the chaos because it pushes me to Him. You are right that I am forced to ask Jesus how to do it or for the strength to in those times….
My struggle is that when I get in the groove (and it usually happens at some point) and still need to know that I actually am not….I guess that is what you are saying. I can relate.
Appreciate your perspective and honesty.
Peace,
Mackenzi
Sara McNutt says:
So, so, so, so, so, so, so, SO good. And I so needed to hear this. Still pondering it.
Amy says:
Thank you for this today. I have band rehearsal tonight where I will be the only vocalist. We’re doing songs I’ve done before and I was tempted to think, “no worries. I’ve got this.” But if I get up to sing tonight or on Sunday morning without first asking Him for each note from a heart full to bursting with love for everything He is, it will be the most empty sound I’ve ever made. Signifying nothing. Meaningless. And how could I possibly help lead WORSHIP that way? No, it has to be all in Him and all for Him. No substitutes.
Shaun Groves says:
Amy, I think we musician types are particularly susceptible to pride don’t you? One more reason I hate fame of any kind and any degree. It just feeds that pride and it’s a small step from pride to independence huh? Praying for you now, Amy.
Brad says:
Amen.
Maria says:
So cool to see the pics of our hometown theater. I went to the Catholic school across the street and we used to play kickball on that stage for gym class, before the last remodel. Our family can’t come tonight because my oldest just had surgery yesterday and the rest are busy with prior commitments, but be assured I’m praying 10 minutes away!
Shaun Groves says:
Aw, that’s too bad! I was really looking forward to meeting you in the real world, Maria. I love meeting people I’ve only known on-line. But thanks for praying. 44 kids were sponsored!
Angie says:
What a good word.
Thanks for sharing.
Amanda Conquers says:
Ouch! Just got hit upside the head with some conviction and I mean that in the best way :)… so needed to hear this. Thank you
Kelli says:
Hmmm…I really needed this today. Thanks for sharing. How are you doing with all the time on the road? Praying for you and your family!
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for asking, Kelli. It’s good and bad. It’s been good to play for larger crowds, see more kids than usual sponsored because of it, get to know Mark and Anita and the crew. I love starting relationships and I’ve been able to do a lot of that. Been able to meet a lot of people who work in radio too and be encouraged by their response to my new music. So all that’s good.
But being gone from home more than usual this month has been hard on a couple of my kids. I’ve had to be very intentional about how I spend my time when I get home – lots of wrestling, reading together, UNO… Not sure it’s been enough for them. I’ve not been the dad I want to be this month. But we know it’s temporary and that we ever want to tour this heavily routinely. Good to be reminded why we stopped doing long bus tours years ago. A month is doable but hard – three months (the norm for many) is impossible for us. Good to remember why.
Zoë says:
Hmm. I was listening to One Thousand Gifts. I like audiobooks while doing housework because it is the most *boring* job and sometimes I think ‘God, you gave me a brain and then made me a housewife???’. I hate it. But I do it. I was reflecting on Ann’s words (even better in her own voice because it’s like an old friend talking to me). I was struggling because I felt like God dumped us here as strangers in a new town, with a whole host of unforeseen problems which I’ve had to deal with because my husband’s new job is very demanding… I got very cross and asked God to please give me some guidance, because I know He brought us here. And my trying to do it in my own strength, and not properly *listening* was what came back to me. Then you say the same thing! So I had better stop being grumpy and listen o_O
Timely post!
Kit says:
‘God, you gave me a brain and then made me a housewife???’
I feel the same way, but I too often let it get me down instead of being creative about it like you. I should try your idea of the audio books! I like that (and maybe would get more done, ha ha)
Zoë says:
FlyLady and audiobooks work for me! I can’t say I get any satisfaction out of housework (I have just had to accept that I am not my mother, the domestic queen) but at least it gets done and at least my brain can think about something else when I’m listening (Ann Voskamp reads her book so beautifully!).
Jonathan Montan says:
Wonderful post. So true that it is easy to forget about how in control God is when we think we have the control.
Shaun Groves says:
Your avatar freaks me out a little, Jonathan. What’s the story behind that image? I’d rather see your face.
Kit says:
God seems to use you to speak timely words to us a lot. Was just thinking about this topic last night after watching a friend share his story and mention this here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3YBE5CyKO4&feature=plcp and all this after a few much needed key talks with my husband lately.
Jasanna says:
As you can read here(http://www.munchtalk.net/2012/10/31-days-of-color-joy-grace-day.html) this hit home today. Although I’m not on tour, I know what you mean about becoming complacent. Just getting comfortable. Satisfied in Christ=good…comfortable=bad. I’m with you this morning! The mark of a believer is realizing this and executing a change. 🙂 Praise the Lord for his convicting word!
Shaun Groves says:
Love how you just summarized my entire post in one short little comment. You should blog. ; )
Hollie says:
I had a great time last night helping out at the table! Helping people sign up to sponsor a child blessed me so much. Praying for you, Micah and the remainder of the tour.
Jennifer@SurprisingJoy says:
So helpful, Shaun. Thank you.
Kris says:
Musicians aren’t the only ones susceptible to pride….. Thanks as always for your candidness, Shaun. It’s both comforting and convicting.
I was sad to miss your Zanesville show, we were in full swing kitchen remodel/ prep for a princess birthday party for my now 3 year old. It was a heck of a weekend culminating with my husband leaving for business.
I’m headed to Allume at the end of this week and will miss seeing you there, but I am praying your time home will be restful and restorative–for you and the kids.
Blessings always, man. Keep serving, you’re changing lives. Real lives. What a gift! 😉