From time to time, people ask me to share what I have learned after being a singer in the music business for over 25 years. I’ll admit, looking to the future is easier when the road behind me has been well traveled and marked with signs of God’s faithfulness. I look at things a lot differently now then when I started the journey. From the 20/20 vantage point of looking back over my shoulder, here are some truths that have settled deep into my life.
The most important advice I could ever give is to stay close to the Lord and put Him first in your pursuit of a career. Be faithful in whatever He gives you to do. Treat every opportunity as the biggest thing you've ever done. There are no “little gigs" with God. Whether you are sharing one on one with someone or standing in front of thousands, they’re all “big gigs” to Him because each one is a divine appointment. I have learned to relish them both.
As you make a relationship with the Lord a priority in your life, He will open the doors for you. In fact, He is the only one who can. Keep training. Strengthen your gift, spiritually, vocally and physically because one enhances the other. Your diligence will eventually pay off but typically not on the timetable you expect.
You may be surprised that I’m not sharing a secret business formula that offers instant success but there is no such thing. What I'm telling you is what I do everyday. I pray and trust Him to fulfill the desires of my heart. The music business often brings disappointment but He never will. I have learned to let my heart sore with passion for the Lord instead of making music my “center”. As I am tethered to His heart, that security has held me in times of uncertainty. I simply remain ready and available and He does the rest.
