A lot can be said (and has already been said by tweet, blog and article) about Sunday night’s Grammy Awards. The Grammys have long been about trying to showcase something controversial in an effort to self-promote and ultimately sell more music (e.g., Nicki Minaj’s 2012 performance of “Roman’s Revenge,” J.Lo’s barely-there dress in 2000). With that in mind, Queen Latifah presiding over the “weddings” of 33 couples—several of which were gay—was the epitome (sadly) of why a lot of families gave up on the show years ago. Before I go too much further though, I need to say that this blog is not about the Grammys’ gay weddings. (Jim Daly, president of Focus on the Family, has already written a great blog on the subject.) I want to talk about a “less-shocking” Grammy happening, but one that still really does need to be tackled.
Still, I can’t help but ask this question on the gay marriage subject: In an effort to be fair, where were those last night on the other side of the marriage issue? How come TV viewers only heard one side of the controversy? Recording Academy President Neil Portnow claimed, “We represent creative artistry, we don’t take a political position on any of these things. We provide a platform. … These individuals believe in each other, love each other and want to be with each other.” For a group that doesn’t “take a political position,” it seems disingenuous to not offer the same “platform” to someone who believes relationships outside the boundaries of traditional marriage undermine marriage itself.
Now to the other subject on my mind. On the long list of Grammy winners last night was a country artist named Kacey Musgraves. If you’re not familiar with her, let’s just say she had a very “good” night by showbiz standards. She not only won for Best Country Song (“Merry Go ‘Round”), but grabbed Best Country Album as well (Same Trailer Different Park). For her live performance, she chose a song titled “Follow Your Arrow.” I’ll include some of the lyrics below, but from a worldview take, Musgraves essentially preaches that no matter what you do in life you’re going to have critics (true!), so, as a result, a person should just do whatever he or she wants (false!). No rules. No right or wrong. Without saying it specifically, she implied that there’s no God (or if there is, He’s pretty much uninvolved), no biblical standard, no bigger purpose in life than just doing whatever makes you happy.
I’m saddened Grammy viewers again got such a one-sided “sermonette.” Still, there’s nothing new under the sun and Musgraves’ worldview is just a rehashed version of what the serpent used to tempt Eve in the Garden of Eden. The devil didn’t preach much to Eve. He did something more powerful: He essentially got Eve to question God’s motives, bringing to her mind that perhaps God was trying to keep what really makes life enjoyable and meaningful away from her and Adam. Musgraves has bought into the same “apple,” and would love to have music fans everywhere join her in the fruity snack. Here’s what she sings:
You’re damned if you do
And you’re damned if you don’t
So you might as well just do
Whatever you want
So make lots of noise
Kiss lots of boys
Or kiss lots of girls
If that’s something you’re into
When the straight and narrow
Gets a little too straight
Roll up a joint, or don’t
Just follow your arrow
Wherever it points, yeah
Follow your arrow
Wherever it points
I’m fully aware that in life we will have our critics. At Plugged In, I’ve had more than my share! How should we best handle the criticism that will naturally come our way? By following our own arrow wherever it points? I don’t think so! I prefer a different arrow, God’s arrow. I’ll do my best to seek Him first and His righteousness, knowing that all the things I really need to know and do will be part of a bigger (and Bible-centric) plan. And God’s arrow will inform me about other issues in life, including what constitutes a genuine and healthy marriage.
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