People from all over the country tuned in to watch this year’s Grammy Awards Show and the scenes witnessed on the television left some viewers with concerns.
One Christian artist in attendance, Natalie Grant, got up and walked out of the show early. She later posted this update on her Facebook feed: “We left the Grammys early. I’ve many thoughts about the show tonight, most of which are probably better left inside my head.”
She went on to say that she has never felt more sure of her calling to sing for Jesus.
Some music fans were outraged at Grant’s actions. Grant attempted diffusing the situation by releasing a statement the day after the show.
“I never said I left during any particular performance,” Grant said in the statement. “I only said I left early. So those who say I condemned one performance but then condoned others clearly did not read the post.”
Jason Burce, junior music major at California Baptist University, did not watch the Grammys but heard stories from friends who did.
“To be honest, I don’t like any music represented (at the Grammys),” Burce said. “There’s nothing pleasing to me about any of it.”
Burce is a young instrumentalist who plans to someday be a studio musician in the secular music industry. He said he looks up to Grant as an example to follow in battling against the worldly forces that Christians are confronted with every day.
“It is very admirable of her to do that,” Burce said.
He also said he believes Grant was right in walking out of the show early and she is an example for him in his growing faith.
“If it was me, I’d be disgusted at what I saw (at the Grammys) and wouldn’t know what to do,” Burce said. “If I sat through the Grammys and had the experience, maybe my answer would change, but I really don’t know.”
Rachel Garland, freshman intercultural studies major, is a music enthusiast and said she would want to guard her faith from the presence of worldly influences.
“Being in the presence of evil makes me uncomfortable,” Garland said. “I would want to uphold my Christian witness and stay strong in my faith.”
Burce said he realizes there is a lot of preparation that is needed if he wishes to succeed in a non-Christian environment.
“Right now, I just need a lot more praying time with God,” Burce said. “When the time is right I will pray and hope that God makes clear which path I should take.”
While he prays for God’s will to be revealed, Burce said he knows God still has an amazing plan for him, even if it does not involve music.
Jeremy Atkins, senior music education major, said he believes the music industry needs more Christians who have God’s commandments written on their hearts. He also said he would do his best to follow Christ’s example of love by showing it to others.
“We are called to be more like Christ,” Atkins said. “Christ shows love and acceptance to everyone when it is not deserved, and that is what we all need to do as well.”
There are many tools that can be used to help young Christians stand strong in their faith when the world is against them. Prayer and following Christ’s example are just a few of those tools that Christians need.
