Want to Sing, Rap, Work… for Jesus?
At the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Kirk Franklin and his beautiful wife, Tammy, rounded out a spectacular evening celebrating the splendor and diversity of Gospel and Christian Music with questions from the media after the show.
In his usual form, Kirk Franklin, the 2019 Dove Award winner for Gospel Artist of the Year, Contemporary Gospel Recorded Song of the Year, and Inspirational Film of the Year dropped wisdom nuggets that have been personally nurtured and lived throughout his musical career.
Kirk Franklin’s Advice for Beginners
When asked for advice on how to get started pursuing a music career in Gospel Music/Hip-Hip, Franklin offered a very candid and sobering answer that anyone in pursuit of “working for the Lord” can apply to their lives and seriously gauge their motivation. Kirk Franklin offered:
Here’s my greatest advice. If you’re not ready to die, don’t do it. If you’re not ready to die – don’t do it. If you’re not making a commitment that your lyrical content is gonna match what your pursuit is – not perfect, but you’re in pursuit… If you’re not in pursuit, then don’t do it. Because the last thing we need is somebody that does not love the Lord trying to do His work. And so if you’re not ready to die, if you’re not ready to put others before you, and if you’re not ready to be burnt offering every doggone day – don’t do it, dog! Don’t do it. The last thing the world needs is another mistake from the church. We need people that are in pursuit – not perfect – but hungry. So, that’s my advice. Salute to you.
Team Jesus Application Questions
So, the questions for Teammates everywhere are:
- Are you ready to die for the work?
- Are you in pursuit of God?
- Are you ready to put others before yourself?
- Are you ready to be a sacrifice (burnt offering) every day?
Only what we do for Christ will last. The way to be effective, true, and relevant to what we do for the Lord is to be ready to die for the cause in consistent pursuit of His glory. What’s your motivation? Will you still go?
While we all ponder these questions in self-examination, take a listen to the Gospel Song of the Year, Love Theory! Congratulations, Kirk, and thank you for your gift of song to the world and wisdom for the body of Christ.
And, don’t miss the 50th Annual GMA Dove Awards airing exclusively on TBN, Sunday, October 20 at 8 p.m. EST/5 p.m. PST. Check your local listings.
