Our current sermon series is “Music That Changed the World.” I love this series because it gives me an opportunity to stop and think about music that has made a difference in my life. Over the past few days, in my car, my office, or at home, I have been playing many of my favorite songs and recalling the moments of my life that I first heard these songs.
One of the artists that made a difference in my life is Keith Green. He was an extremely talented musician, singer, songwriter and deeply committed person of faith. I first heard the music of Keith Green when I was in Junior High. We often used his music in our youth group worship on Sunday nights. His songs were more like challenging sermons, put to great music. They were songs like, “Your Love Broke Through,” “Asleep in the Light,” “Oh Lord, You’re Beautiful,” and the “Easter Song.”
Keith Green’s music career started at an early age. He was not recording Christian music at first. At age 11, Keith was signed to a recording contract with Decca Recording. Many thought he was going to be the next big teen heartthrob. It looked as though his music career was going to take off before he even became a teenager. Soon, the ever-changing music world turned on Keith Green. A newcomer to the teen music seen arrived and people gravitated towards him. That newcomer’s name was Donny Osmond. Before Keith’s career could get off the ground, it seemed finished.
It looked as though Keith Green’s musical life was finished. He spent the next several years wrestling with who he was and how he would use his talent, hopefully to make a living for himself and his family. He spent time as a songwriter, but in the late 1970s, he came to faith in Jesus. It did not take long for his talent to match his passion for Jesus. He began to write and perform the music that would eventually help to bring a new era of contemporary Christian music to life. Keith Green recorded four powerful albums before his untimely death in 1982. Since his death, many more of his records and songs have been released. The ministry that he and his wife started together continues to this day.
Keith’s life is recorded in a powerful book called, “No Compromise: The Life Story of Keith Green.” It was written by his wife, Melody. When I read this book, I was amazed at the struggles he faced. I had only known the beautiful music from my youth. After I learned more about his life, I was reminded that God does not require us to be perfect to share His love with the world. Often, God uses our pain, our failures, and our struggles to communicate God’s amazing grace to all. Our lives rarely turn out the way we plan, but God, who is with us on the journey, will use us to share His love and build and better world.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
