If you happened to listen to the two songs I linked to on Friday’s post, you know that the early to late 60s into the mid 70s contained some of the best rock ‘n’ roll, ballad-type music, and just plain amazing love songs ever written. Music achieved an unlikely pinnacle for certain types of music. Unequaled before or since. Yes, of course this is my opinion. I lived it.
The lyrics of these two particular songs capture the burgeoning reality of moral decline, an unfortunate “changing of the guard” in relationships, tapping into the non-committal liaisons that opted for taking advantage of opportunities which presented themselves for, or previously presented obstacles to, emotional and physical satisfaction. The structures of the moral fibers of marriage, purity, restraint, and commitment to these values were shaken and gradually shredded with the assistance of drugs and alcohol and reactions to a war where thousands of young men, friends to this generation, were losing their lives on foreign shores. I lived it.
Believing in God was not enough. It never is. I had the bare minimum of knowledge concerning Him. And though I staunchly believed He existed, that’s all I knew. I didn’t know Jesus so the Holy Spirit was not therefore available for my constant counsel and comfort. That basic understanding of right and wrong definitely imprinted on my soul through the examples and teachings of godly parents who communicated God but not a personal relationship with Jesus. And it wasn’t enough to withstand the gradual wearing down of my convictions as I absorbed the lyrics to some powerful songs, some truly great music. Therein was a seductive kind of romance. I lived it.
There was a time, a fairly long time, after my salvation when I could no longer listen to those songs of which I knew every word. I’d attempt to occupy my mind with other things when shopping as those songs played in the background over the airwaves. It hurt to hear them because they reminded me of my old lifestyle, of my seduction, of my downfall, of my sin. And I knew their hypnotic appeal. I’d lived it.
Perhaps you don’t understand the mindset I’m describing here. The challenges I faced and failed to defeat led me through the sinful lifestyle and on to heartbreak, hardness, and humiliation when faced with Truth. What I lived I knew was wrong even while in the middle of it. I lied to myself. I played the game. I lived it.
The things I’ve shown you here depict the basis for my love stories. Love stories which demonstrate the love of men and women and more importantly the love of God for them. Sinful people. Sinful lifestyles. Sinful states of mind. All available for salvaging. Some succumb to the romancing of the God who gave it all and loves them in spite of them. Others just succumb to the romance. I can write it because I lived it.
It’s not just to challenge the accepted norms in what has become Christian Fiction, generally referred to as CBA. No. I think sometimes those who’ve grown up with Jesus in the picture of their lives forget that those who remain lost are equal to them. Those who play the world’s game unaware of the damage and destruction to themselves are equal to the ones who decided at the age of five or fifty to embrace the love of God through Jesus His Son. Equal. Still lost but equal. Those ladies of the night that slang references call ‘ho’s”? Equal. Those passed out in alleys with urine stained trousers. Equal. Those in pulpits carrying on with church secretaries. Equal. In the eyes of God, we’re equal in value. He’s no respecter of persons.
As Christians, we have equal spots in our communities of life. Whatever we do if we know God has given us the assignment, we know our tasks are equal to those of others. As writers, we have equal tasks.
So I do mine. I portray the lost and found in love stories because I’ve lived it from both sides. I know the passion of each lifestyle. I know what it’s like to be naïve and “innocent” and eventually succumb to the thrill of worldly enticements, surrendering it all for those overrated indulgences. To feel the loss. To engage in convincing myself I’ve somehow gained something I couldn’t do without.
I write for those who love and lose something of value. I write for those who stand strong in the face of incredible temptation. I write for those who desire passion in every area of their lives. I write for those who know sin upfront and personal. I write for those who let it take them down. I write for those who are resurrected by the love of Jesus. I write for those who need real on the page. I write for those who want a tangible rescue by the Living God. I write with a passion. Because I’ve lived it.
Thank you for my life, Lord God. You rescued this sinner. You’ve used the ugly to minister the beauty of your Son. There’s no better redemption than using that sorrow to bring joy. Thank you is never enough. In the Name of Jesus, Amen.