“In Nashville, there are people that are ten times more talented than me, ten times better singers than me and much better song writers, but for some reason you get the ball and now – and now you run with it. And you do the best you can”. Garth Brooks
Although I am a firm believer in free will, we sure can’t ignore destiny or pre-destination. Beethoven had a very high sense of morality and believed in God – Mozart was probably one of the most depraved men of his day. Both were given very special musical gifts that laid the foundation for most musical compositions though out history. It seems that the gifts were not based on character. “For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable” – Rom.11:29
There is strong evidence that God has created us with the aptitude for particular skills and abilities, and with the inclination toward particular interests. There is an undeniable “calling” in most every artist I have ever met. This calling seems to override all sense of logic or the opinions for career choices of all the “well meaning” people in their lives.
To follow that calling or dream requires that you take risks, there doesn’t seem to be anything safe in following dreams. It is certainly not accompanied with detailed directions or guarantees on how to pursue the dream successfully, contrary to all the hype on the internet of “how to make it in the music business”.
But without risks, a person’s life becomes a process of digging an ever-deeper rut in which he or she stagnates and cuts himself or herself off from all that God intends life to be, He doesn’t call us to risk-free living, because we wouldn’t need to develop our “faith muscles.”
What if, instead of standing back in self-righteous judgment of an artist chasing their dreams, we would encourage them to go for it. Sure, there is always the risk of them falling flat on their face, but it is worth the risk, what do you have to lose ? Of course you can always be a shoe salesman and reserve your singing for the shower when you are alone ☺