Today's Stories - Shai

It's said that bravery is the kindest word for stupidity. I guess that might be true, but it depends on what's being damaged. Think about it. You do something that's brave (or maybe stupid) because it will have a valuable outcome if everything goes properly. If it doesn't go properly, then you and the cat fall out of the tree onto the concrete, you need someone to Google the Heimlich because you wanted to try a food you were allergic to, and your hand actually catches on fire while you wave it over a small flame. All that to say, bravery/stupidity is only dangerous when it's you that's being damaged. Guess who can't ever be damaged? Good work! You got it. It's God, and historically (and futuristically, I guess), battles fought against Him don't end well for the other guy.

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This whole talk of bravery is something of a springboard for one man. His name is Shai Linne. Now, I've never met him and he has no idea who I am, but he's influenced and encouraged me more than most of the people I know.

For the sake of context, Shai is a Christian rapper who got saved in the late 90's.

"Rap? Blech."

Yeah, fair enough. I'm not out to get any of you to fall in love with the genre. In fact, that's really a bad idea.

What I, along with Shai are out to do is to get you to love God's perfect Word that much more.

Since I like asking you guys dumb questions, try to figure out this one: is it hard to know God's Word? Again, you are all geniuses. The answer is yes. The Bible makes sense and what not, but so does the end of Inception (a movie Shai references in one of his songs). The hardest thing about figuring them out is that there so manyopinions out there. Concerning the Bible, which opinion is true? Which one honors the Spirit's work properly? Which one holds the most truth?

I believe that Shai Linne has found the secret. It involves something so simple, but so ignored. That the Bibleitself is true. It has come from a living, powerful God. It is our source of bread and water and life. It is our guide, our compass, our map for the directionally challenged.

The power in the Bible is one that makes old things new. Ugly things beautiful. Sinful things holy. Shai Linne's life is a picture of that. As a young man, he was an absolute atheist who would have gotten seriously mad at anyone who talked to him about the truth of scripture. He was rebellious, evil, and "a child of wrath."

Then, everything changed. God is really good at whacking people on the side of the head. It hurts for a little bit, but it's memorable... and it gets attention.

"One thing led to another."

Ever since, Shai has been thoroughly devoted to spreading the truth of scripture. He lives it, too. In arguing, he does so with grace and biblical analysis to back his arguments up. In song-writing, he does so with skill, wisdom, prayer, and bravery. If he truly believes that the bible supports something, then he's not afraid to fight for it. That was epitomized when he released a song called False Teachers that names the names of 12 prosperity gospel teachers. He released this song only after consulting with his entire church elder board, the pastors of other churches (including John Piper), and serious prayer. Ultimately, he wasn't afraid to release a song that would significantly damage his reputation in the eyes of many fans and non-fans. All he was worried about was defending the value of scripture.

He's also written songs about both the Millennium and Election. Few people agree totally on the doctrine of election, and even fewer agree on End Times theology, but he, through his dependence on the Spirit and on scripture has expressed his beliefs about these things without fear.

It's kind of crazy. There are entire churches that separate over these issues, and then he comes along and writes rap songs covering pretty much everything he believes about them.

That takes guts.

Ultimately, though, this guy is amazing because of his passion and love for Christ. You can hear it in each of his songs (which I would recommend that you listen to). You can read it in the lyrics; the fact that each line does nothing more than try and try to make God known. You can see it in his interviews and blogs: that all he wants is for others to value and treasure Christ. It's kind of awesome.

And yes, I understand. His story is the most exciting or fascinating thing. I've never met him, his life isn't terribly adventurous... but he does hold one thing, and only one thing dear: that from Christ, and to Christ, and for Christ are all things.

Here's something he wrote in one of his blogs that struck me as really fascinating. I thought I would share it with you guys as a way to close.

"God is beautiful. This fact is plainly taught in the Scriptures. But we shouldn't think He is beautiful in the same exact way a painting, a flower or a melody is beautiful. This would belittle Him. God does not conform to some standard of beauty outside of Himself. In His very nature, God is the superlative of everything good. He is the standard by which all other beauty is to be measured and understood. God's beauty is prototypical, inherent and intrinsic. All other beauty is derived, contingent and dependent. All other beauties are streams that spring forth from God, the eternal ocean of beauty. His dwelling place is called the perfection of beauty (Psalm 50:2). The hope of the believer is to forever gaze upon His beauty (Psalm 27:4, Isaiah 33:17). The reality of the beauty of God is truly astounding, especially when considered in conjunction with another fact that is also plainly taught in the Scriptures:

God is invisible.

God cannot be seen. 1 Timothy 6:16 says that "no one has seen or can see" Him. He has no physical form. He is hidden from our eyes. And yet He is perfectly beautiful. What does that say about the nature of beauty?

grace and peace,
shai"

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grace and peace,

andrew