4 Months Sober and Counting

It's been four months now. I can say that I'm seeing life a bit more clearly. I don't feel as much pressure to escape or be someone I'm not. I don't feel bombarded or weighed down. I don't feel like I have to try to make it on my own.

I feel like my power has been handed back to me. I can be me in spite of me. A burden has been lifted.

Most of you reading this know me and hopefully know that I don't have a substance abuse problem.

So what is it that I gave up?

Rap music.

Well, secular rap/hip hop that is. I've been listening to it for the better part of the last 20 years. I was told by my family that when I listened to this music it would change me. I acted different. Not a good different.

In high school I tried to find "Christian rap". To my disappointment there wasn't anything I would feel remotely comfortable telling people I listen to. DC Talk and Jars of Clay are aight but rap they are not. Those were my options at the time (90's). Needless to say, I indulged in the "rap of world". I've been listening to it ever since.

These songs promote promiscuity, lust, greed, materialism, self righteousness, sex trafficking, adultery, getting drunk, doing drugs, murder, hate, they degrade women, and more. As I filled my mind with these things as I was driving in my car and then tried to fill my mind with God doing Bible Studies at home or church I could literally feel the struggle to do and be what these songs say or to do or be what God says.

I couldn't continue to feed my mind and my heart with a little bit of each. I had to decide who or what I wanted to give myself fully to. I decided to quit secular rap. I felt like I lost a part of me. I love rap music. I love the beat. The sound. I just couldn't give up rap forever though.

There is a new movement changing the game. And it is changing it hard! What it is: rap by a Christian artist. What it isn't: Christian rap. Yes, there's a difference.

Lecrae, Andy Mineo, Social Club, Derek Minor, Trip Lee to name a just few. They are taking the world by storm! Andy Mineo's album Never Land hit the Billboard charts at #2. Yes the secular charts. Lecrae's album Anomaly hit the Billboard charts at #1 and he won a Grammy for one of his other albums. They are puttin out music that Christians and non believers alike want to listen to. They talk about real life issues and in no way water down their faith. It is music that anyone can relate to. It isn't just for Christians. It is for anyone that seeks truth and what is real.

Though they will most likely never read my blog, I am grateful for the 116 Clique, Gospel Gangstaz, and all of the rappers out there that are puttin out dope music that's real and doesn't lead me to lust after the things in this world that can't satisfy.

This song says what my heart feels. Imma tell the world!