examples...

as i began my day and got on with my tasks in front of me, i forgot that i hadn't caught up on today's scripture reading...i try to read in the morning to help me through the day. i flipped through the new testament waiting for something to stand out. something did.

in my Bible, there are subheadings that describe some of the verses...i came across 1 Corinthians 7:17-24. the subheading reads "Live as God Called You"...seeing this grabbed my attention as i've been praying a lot about the life God is calling me to and those around me.

verse 17 reads..."But in any case each one of you should continue to live the way God has given you to live-the way you were when God called you."

later in chapter 7, verses 19 and 20 read like this; "...The important thing is obeying God's command. Each one of you should stay the way you were when God called you."

this has got me thinking about the way God has created us. i'll use myself as an example (not because i want to brag, but rather make an example of myself)...in 1986 i was exposed to hip hop; i'll never forget the new sound of Tone Loc. his raspy voice and seductive lyrics were like the ocean, mesmorizing. i hadn't heard hip hop prior to this, but this was new, gritty and exciting. i never grew out of hip hop, despite numerous attempts and condensending remarks from those around me. my love of hip hop evolved over the years and now includes 4 of the 5 "legs" of the lifestyle: 1) mc'ing or rapping, 2) dj'ing, 3) graffiti and 4) fashion (the 5th is breakdancing, which i appreciate but cannot do).

as i've come to evolve in my faith, particularly since getting saved, i've realized that God still uses my love of hip hop to reach out to a new generation of believers. with the hip hop culture becoming mainstream, i believe God is using my love of hip hop to proclaim His glory. God didn't ask me to change my music, the way i dress or the art i do. He asked me to use it to reach out...to produce fruit (as stated in John 15:16).

i've also evolved in my love of hip hop. God is showing me that i can still immerse myself in the hip hop culture, but a better hip hop culture. holy hip hop. my interest in artists like eminem, dr. dre, snoop dogg, atmosphere and others has turned to interest in christian artists like grits, lecrae, trip lee, shai linne and others. these are artists that i can play at church and not feel ashamed of the music i listen to.

so what's the point?! if i gave up my love of the hip hop lifestyle, God may not have been able to use me as He wants to reach out to others. so i beg of you and ask you to see who you are and how God is able to use you for His works.

God bless!