Sometimes, God leads me to give up songwriting… and that’s a good thing.

I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, albeit a very imperfect one. But hopefully the general trend of my life is that I’m becoming a better and more faithful servant of the Lord’s. And if that’s true, He gets all the credit, because I’m WAY too selfish and weak to do any of it on my own.

Songwriting is my Isaac. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the story of Abraham and Isaac from the Bible, but Abraham and his wife were very old and childless when God promised them a son. God kept His promise, and Isaac was born. I was a non-musical lyricist in Arkansas when God graciously promised that music would come and the songs would come (that’s a long story in itself). And God kept His promise. Six years later, I got my first cut- “Monday Morning Church,” by Alan Jackson. Miracle.

But my music-as-Isaac analogy goes deeper. At one point, years after Isaac’s birth, God told Abraham to take Isaac up the mountain and sacrifice him to the Lord. Abraham had to take Isaac, the living promise, the son he loved, up the mountain. Thankfully, God provided a ram and spared Isaac.

Music is my kept-promise.

It’s something I love and am passionate about. But there have been a few times when God has led me to take my Isaac up the mountain. Why would God do that?

Well, honestly, music has been an idol in my life at times. I’m not proud of it, but it’s true. Songwriting is an amazing gift, a thrilling career, and a reliable friend. But it is NOT God. So every once in a while, God (in His wisdom), has had me lay it down on the alter. Every other time, He’s let me walk back down the mountain with my Isaac. And I’m very thankful for that.

My Isaac is on the altar again.

I don’t know what’s going to happen next. I may be allowed to walk back down the mountain with it, or I may have to leave professional songwriting up on that mountain for the rest of my life.  God never told me to trust music for my income- He told me to trust HIM. Whatever He chooses to do will be for His glory, and I hope He gives me the grace to praise Him either way.

I hope you’ll take some time to consider the place songwriting and music holds in your heart. Does it hold the place that should belong to God? Or to your family?

God Bless,

Brent

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