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So I was at this youth ministers’ convention thing, back when I was
a youth minister, and I don’t remember much of it. But I do
remember 1) Everybody had goatees, and 2) This one guy who spoke
made a good point.
I’d happily credit him. I don’t want to steal his good point. But
I can’t remember his name, which is why I just called him, “This One
Guy Who Spoke”.
Here’s what This One Guy said:
“A
lot of people want a platform on which to say things. But don’t
pray for a platform. Pray that God will give you something to say.”
This One Guy then said if God wanted, He’d give us a place to say
it.
And now, I’ve got a platform, and I mostly remember that guy.
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So
you've got a platform, too. And to think about your platform is one
of those don’t-look-down! moments atop a high ledge. It may be
scary for you: There are tens of thousands of people (or, in my
case, dozens of people) who just showed up, and want to hear what I
have to say. Yes, they want to hear the music, too, but they
couldn’t listened to their iPods, and they showed up for a personal
touch.
Gathering humans, made in God’s image, all, and looking for Him,
even if they don’t know it, in the midst of their daily lives,
They’re here, and they’re looking for something. From me? Gulp.
So
here I go: “It’s Mornings with Brant, hey there, I’m Brant. And
did you know, on this day in history, the ball-point pen was
invented...?"
God help me.
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And God, seriously, please help me by giving me something to say.
We
all are in radio for different reasons, but there are -- basing this
on anecdotal observation, here -- some commonalities. Like, say,
this: We like attention. Quite a bit, in many cases. Or, at
least, we did, when we got into this. Or we like to be in control
of conversations, or we’re trying to find popularity and acceptance
that eluded us in seventh grade. Stupid seventh grade.
This isn’t evil. It’s just our story. I get it. I can
relate. And because I can relate, I think, I’m especially aware
when I hear another radio personality, when the need to prove
something to someone, to earn favor from others, to personally
become “the issue”, comes bleeding through the speakers.
Like I say, it's us. But here’s hoping we can all find the freedom
of actually growing up, and that means taking a look at our
platform, the one we’re already standing on, and saying, “God, give
me what you want me to say. What is it you want me to do with this
platform, with this influence, with these people?”
These precious people, God’s beloved, who turned your show
on, but are truly, deeply, looking for Him.
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Your job -- my job -- is bigger than we think it is. I hate to
remind us both of that, because it’s daunting. But if you believe
Jesus is alive -- for real -- and He’s actually merciful, and the
Holy Spirit is alive -- for real -- and lives in you, you have
reason to be confident.
Ask God for something to say. It
probably won’t be in a prep sheet. It may not even be discussed in
the USA Today. It’ll be better than that, and it may be something
He wants you to keep saying, in different and creative ways, for the
rest of your career. Seriously, ask Him. Doesn't that seem like
the kind of prayer that God would love to answer? Think about it.
Read books by thoughtful Christians. Be discipled. Disciple
others. Don’t stop. Be part of a community of believers. Grow in
love. Don’t think all of it is a distraction from your job. This
feeds your job, keeps you inspired, yes, but also keeps you
wrestling with questions and emotions that will fill your show with
I-can’t-get-out-of-my-car honesty.
Use your madd radio skillz (I’m “cool” with the kids like that) to
say these things in ways that draw people in, and get them,
ultimately, to look past you and at Jesus. Be excellent at giving
people what they’re looking for -- truly looking for, deep down. Do
it well. That's something they can't get on any other radio
station, and, in many cases, nowhere else in their lives.
Seriously.
Do
it well.
Heck, you’re already in Christian radio. Might as well embrace
it. I’m not an expert on Arbitron, or PPM stuff, or much of
anything, really. But I know Jesus said if we lift Him -- not us --
up, He’ll draw men to Him.
(I
know: “But hey -- what about women, 25-54...?”)
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Maybe I’m over-spiritualizing here. I don’t know: But maybe it’s
kind of a John-the-Baptist-y thing we’re doing here.
He
was weird; we’re weird. He was an odd communicator; we’re odd
communicators. He got a crowd together; we get a crowd
together.* And his career pointed to one thing: Here’s
Jesus. Follow Him, not me.
He
takes the precious people in the crowd, his crowd... and hands them
over. That’s why he’d been given a platform: To hand people over
to Jesus.
God, give us something to say, or help us off the platform.
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*
-- Okay, he also got his head cut off, but I didn’t say the analogy
had to be totally exact. Work with me.
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Brant
Hansen can be reached at
brant@wayfm.com
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