It’s us. Our self-righteous, holier than thou, stance. Our brazen disregard for God’s word when we decide to publically denounce her, and any other believers we don’t agree with. When Lauren Daigle, and other believers in the public domain do not behave as we believe they should behave, we see our own humanity and brokenness and we call it out. Because let’s be real, it’s easier – less messy, less work, less painful – to see the speck in someone else’s eye than to deal with the plank in our own.
Back in the fall of 2018 Lauren performed the first single, Still Rolling Stones, off of her sophomore album, Look Up Child, on The Ellen Show. It was her debut performance on the show. I didn’t watch the performance live, because I didn’t know about it. I got to watch the replay on YouTube and I was absolutely blown away. I’m not a big fan of daytime television so I’m not certain that Lauren was the first Christian artist to perform on the show, but I know she could only be one of a handful, as not many Christian artists enjoy crossover success without going pop.
As I watched, I belted out the words with her. But even as loudly as I was singing I could hear God bragging as only a proud Father can, “Look at her! She’s singing a song declaring my grace, and mercy, and resurrection power on a nationally televised show hosted by an openly gay woman. I did this. I made this happen. I put her on that stage.” And at the end of the song, Ellen came up to Lauren and announced everyone in the audience was getting a copy of Look Up Child. My jaw dropped and God said, “Are you seeing this? Ellen used her own money to purchase a CD for everyone in her audience. A CD full of songs all about Me!” Tears streamed down my face. God showed up and He showed off that day.
But then the backlash came. People lambasted Lauren for her appearance as well as her song choice. How dare she call herself a Christian and appear on an openly gay woman’s show? they wondered. I read that comment over and over on different sites and felt so confused, angry, and embarrassed even. I yelled at my phone or laptop “Because God opened the door for her to be on there!”
Then the drama came. At what seemed to be the height of the backlash, Lauren was interviewed by a radio personality known for stirring up controversy and was asked about her performance on Ellen and the fallout that followed. He asked her about her personal thoughts on homosexuality being a sin. People did not like her answer. It was, admittedly, indirect. She didn’t openly call homosexuality a sin. People were outraged. While I didn’t personally agree with the words she used, I totally related to the situation in which she found herself. I spent the better part of 2018 avoiding topics God wanted me to share with people. And the platform I have is minuscule compared to hers. I can only imagine the thoughts whirling through her head as she was thinking of a response to the direct question about whether she thought homosexuality is a sin. Did she skirt the question? I don’t think so. I think she answered it honestly. And she was publically judged for it.
God invited me to write a blog post about it but I ignored Him. It was one of the controversial topics I didn’t want to talk about. From time to time Holy Spirit would remind me of the invitation but I brushed Him off. I argued that the moment had passed. It would be silly for me to write about it when people had probably already forgotten about it. But then Twitter was all abuzz with Lauren related posts – again declaring that she isn’t really a Christian – following her Billboards performance last Sunday.
Why are we, as believers, so quick to beat one another up? I constantly hear about believers being persecuted by the world, but it’s so often us who are doing the dirty work of the deceiver, not the world. When not if, we don’t agree with something a fellow believer says or does, the last thing we should do is grab our pitchforks and publically rake him or her over the proverbial coals. God says in His word that the world will know we are His followers by the love we show one another. How is it loving to publically question someone’s faith? How loving is it to use social media to judge someone and call them out their name? It. Simply. Isn’t. (mentally insert hand clap emoji)
After the whole Ellen controversy, I listened to Look Up Child with new ears. It wasn’t something I did intentionally, but God pricked my ears and showed me how the songs He gave Lauren for the album were songs she needed to hear during the season she was in. She needed to preach to her soul, much like David did, to remember God’s faithfulness during times of doubt.
Last month, two of my students asked if they could play a song during independent practice time. Before I could answer, one of the girls, who happens to be openly gay, said, “Mrs. Floyd, it’s a Christian song!” I asked the title and they both announced “You Say” with such excitement on their faces. I shook my head and chuckled as I said, “Oh, that’s a song from Lauren Daigle.” Even though I only play Christian artists, they were impressed that I knew the song. Apparently, Lauren Daigle had been experiencing some crossover success, with the song being played on secular stations. I’m not saying that Lauren is a modern day Esther, but it is clear to me that God is using her the giftings He bestowed upon her – her ability to write and the voice she uses to share her lyrics.
If you haven’t already listened to the album in its entirety, I pray that you would do so with a soft heart, open mind, and unstiffened neck.
Faith Fitness and Mommy Stuff 
Reina
Excellent post. It stirs in me emotions I’ve suppressed for 4-5 years and I’m reminded I need to revisit and find closure with. I found myself neck deep in a sea of Christian judgementalism when I went through my divorce. There are many facets and variables when it comes to being judgy and being judged. The reality is Christian’s are to judge but judge correctly. They are to judge using the correct filters and understanding hence the context around the whole “spec in your eye” verse in the sermon on the mount. Christians have failed to observe, recognize, see, marinate in the equanimity jesus demonstrated when going about his ministry. They have failed to exemplify the way in which he observed, interacted and judged people in the day to day. Jesus’s ministry to those who said they believed was one of compassion and grace. Pastors are often quick to poke fun at St. Peter for how impulsive he was but what I have never heard a preacher mention is the “WHY”. Not why was he so impulsive- that was just immaturity and disposition, but why was Peter one to allow his thoughts out of his mouth and express them so freely? Because Jesus created an environment where Peter was free to be himself. Where all questions, thoughts and inquiries were welcome. Jesus welcomed “dumb” questions. Jesus never hesitated to correct his disciples but he never prohibited them from being who they were; scared, impulsive, doubtful, greedy, envious etc. Why? Because the same way carne asada becomes juicy, tender, explosive all encompassing wonderful glory by marinating in juices and spices over time like wise the immature, unwise, impulsive, scared, doubtful Christian becomes more sanctified by floating in the sweet powerful marinade of the gospel. Jesus did life with them. He was patient loving and kind. He allowed his disciples to marinate by creating an environment where they wanted to give up all and follow. My eldest daughter once asked me, “Dad, why was Jesus always invited to dinner parties?” I thought for a minute as the answer is multifaceted but one thing became abundantly clear to me and I responded with, “Baby, because Jesus wasn’t an asshole. He never compromised his Father’s will and he was never an asshole! See baby, assholes dont get invited to dinner parties.” Why aren’t we to be so quick to judge? To me the answer is simple. Because we simply do not know the full context of the story, of the heart and of the mind of the person we are judging nor do we know and understand all God may or may not be doing behind the scenes.
One thing I have learned over the years is I need to demonstrate equanimity, grace and kindness to those who are judgy assholes. It’s just not easy.
Thanks for the post.
BsB
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Thank you for that, Bryanshawn. I’m so okay with people who know and love me callingme out on my flesh-filled stuff because they know me and they love me. I don’t typically feel judged or attacked. Because I do life with those people – I feel seen, known, and loved for who I am – when I act a fool and someone in my inner circle tells me so I know it’s because I am valued. Publicly judging people simply doesn’t send that message. And at the same time it’s so very hard not to judge the very ppl who are publicly judging others 🤦🏽♀️. Because the same holds true for them, right? I don’t have a clue what God may or may not be doing behind the scenes of their lives.
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