Truth Will Stand
Saturday September 15th 2007, 8:28 pm
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ChristianityI’ve decided to write this post as a testament to what God does when you stand up for Him, and live by your convictions.
I’ve been in the 27 South band for about two years. Although I’ve always been a lead guitarist in every other band or group I’ve been a part of, I was asked to play bass in 27 South. I was told this band would be a praise and worship band, and that’s one of the main reasons I joined. I had played bass in church several times, so it was no big deal to me.
As time went by, we slowly abandoned praise and worship music and became a regular rock band whose rule was “We will NEVER play in bars.” Although I wasn’t a Christian at the time I joined this band, I was pleased with this rule. I’ve never wanted to play music in bars, period. I hate the smell of alcohol and cigarettes, and I don’t like being around drunk people. I became a Christian during my time with 27 South, so this rule meant more to me than just a personal preference.
We stuck by the “no bars” rule for quite a while, but after disappointing gigs at places other than bars, we relented somewhat and started playing at a place called Sweet Potatoes in Versailles, KY. This place was a restaurant that also had a bar (like most restaurants these days). At first I was apprehensive about playing there. I was worried it would be a drunken bar, but it turned out not that it wasn’t. However, it was bad in it’s own way. People were drinking alcohol there, and the place was very smoky.
My first clue that I shouldn’t have been there was when pregnant wife came to watch us play at our first gig. Although I wanted her to come and see us play, I was worried about her being in such a smoky place.
My second clue that I shouldn’t have been there was that we played on Saturday nights until 12:00am. We wouldn’t get home before 1:30am or 2:00am, and I always came home smelling like smoke. But the really bothersome thing was that I’d have to get up early on Sunday morning to go to our praise band rehearsal (for church). I recall taking my shower, getting my clothes ironed, shining my shoes, and then going to my room to get my gig bag. When I picked that thing up, the smell of smoke was overwhelming. I was embarrassed to pack that smelly thing in the church. I did that several times, and each time it bothered me more and more. I wanted to say something to the band members about how it bothers me to play at Sweet Potatoes, but I let it go.
On April 10, our little girl came along. I took time off from the band and they continued to play at Sweet Potatoes. At this time I decided it would be a good time for me to just quit the band. My main reason for quitting was the whole bar thing. I felt the band would eventually begin to play more bars if we became so comfortable playing at Sweet Potatoes. However, everyone around me told me I was quitting for the wrong reasons (my own wife told me the same thing). I began to feel like I was letting people down, so against my better judgment, I stayed in the band.
We had a practice a practice on Tuesday, August 21st. It was at this practice that our band leader (Mike) informed us that he had talked to a local venue (The Cue) and was looking to get us a gig there. Although everybody else in the band was ok with it, I was not. I told him I didn’t want to play there. He then told me that the place was no worse than Sweet Potatoes, but I went on to tell everyone about how I’ve been struggling with playing Sweet Potatoes, and that I didn’t want to go back there and play either.
I’m not sure what made me suddenly stand up for my convictions, but playing at The Cue was completely out of the question for me. That place is definitely a bar to me. Yes, they serve food, but after 9:00PM (the time we were supposed to start playing) the only thing that’s served there is alcohol. I was asked to consider playing there, and I said I would, but my mind was made up already. I did give it some thought throughout the week, but my mind never changed.
On Monday, August 27 I received a call from Mike. He asked if I was still against playing at The Cue and Sweet Potatoes, and I said “yes”. I told him I felt personally convicted about playing those places, and that I wasn’t trying to be judgmental towards them, and I didn’t want to keep them from playing places, so if he found a replacement for me, I wouldn’t have any hard feelings. I even went on to tell him that if that’s the direction the band was going in, then it might be best to find a permanent replacement for me, and I wouldn’t be offended if he did so. Mike agreed that it would be best if we just parted ways after the August 31st gig.
I emailed a friend at work and told him about what had happened and he asked me what I had planned to do next. I told him I was planning on maybe taking jazz piano lessons or something, but I really didn’t have any definite plans. It seems God did!
Later that same day, I received a telephone call from Trish Torline. I met Trish at Bedford Acres Christian Church back in June. She had come to play a couple of her original (Christian) songs for us. She needed a bass player, so I sat in and played bass with her that day. Apparently, she hadn’t forgotten me.
When I talked to her she told me she was in need of a bass player for her band. I was in shock. I stuttered and stumbled over my words because I suddenly came to the realization that God had made all this happen for a reason. On the same day that I left one band that I felt was headed in the wrong direction (for me, spiritually), I was asked to join an incredibly good Christian band. I accepted the offer. I told everybody I was afraid to NOT take the offer for fear that God would kill me (joking, of course).
It’s very obvious to me that God wanted this to happen. I’m a terrible Christian. I try hard to do things right, but I always mess something up along the way. But God loves me and forgives me for things when I ask Him. I’m completely unworthy of such a blessing as what God did for me in this situation. It’s sort of scary for me to think that God is doing something with my musical abilities. It’s hard to imagine that God has an interest in me, but somehow He does and I thank Him for that.
The lesson to be learned here is to follow your convictions, and truth will stand!
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