Best of 2011: What American Idol is Teaching Me About Walking with God

It's become a God Speaks Today tradition.
Each year, during the end of December, we look back over the most popular posts of the year while I step away from writing to enjoy the Christmas Season with my family.
Maybe you missed these the first time around.
Maybe you'd like to read them again...

Welcome to the Best of 2011

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Original Run Date: May 3, 2011. As you can see, I have an unnatural fixation on American Idol. But I'm trying to use it for good, not evil.

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You knew it was coming, didn’t you. The American Idol/Spiritual Application post? Writing on a blog called “God Speaks Today” carries with it tremendous responsibility to listen for God anywhere and everywhere. Even on reality shows involving singing competitions and newly sober Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

So, here you go:

1. When you operate in your gifts, even the Steven Tylers of this world will recognize the gifts are from God. There have been times this season when one of the contestants hits a note or does some insane vocal run, and it literally brings tears to my eyes. I always think, “Wow…what a gift God has given them!” I don’t know how well Steven Tyler knows Jesus, but I can’t help but smile big every time he credits God for the talent—and he does it a lot. I can’t sing like that at all, but God has gifted me in other ways. I believe when we flow in our gifts—really step out there and do our thang, we all can have this effect on people.

2. Just because you don’t win, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t sing: There is only one Idol winner. But there are dozens of contestants who should and will go on to pursue professional singing careers. There are still hundreds more who should and will continue to sing in their little realms of influence—local bands, church choirs, weddings. And there are thousands more who should and will sing only to their children or in the privacy of their shower or in bad karaoke. And that’s okay, too. My point is, not everyone lands the book contract or the president position or the blog that gets a million hits a day. But that doesn’t mean you pack it up and start selling pizzas. Unless, of course, selling pizza is your gift. Then, sell your pizzas with reckless abandon.

3. Sometimes the majority doesn’t know what the heck they are doing: Pia’s gone. Casey’s gone. That’s all.

4. Don’t be afraid to let Simon go: Does anyone even miss Simon? Remember last year all the commotion about Simon leaving and everyone was all “oh my goodness, what will happen to the ratings, and this will be the last season of American Idol, blah, blah, blah.” Remember that? I have found the show this season to be nothing short of a breath of fresh air. I see it on all the contestants’ faces too. Instead of standing in fear of harsh criticism at the end of every performance, they stand in anticipation. I’m convinced, no one needs a Simon in his or her life. Simons may stir up controversy, but they don’t help you excel in your gift. Identify the creator of the negative energy, bid him farewell, and don’t look back.

5. Surround yourself with people who are successful at what you want to do: What a difference it makes to have, say, Jennifer Lopez—who is selling music off the charts right now—or maybe Steven Tyler—who has made a platinum record every decade for four decades straight—offer a compliment, a criticism or a direction. I mean, Ellen was delightful, but she was more like the good friend who just wants you to succeed, but doesn’t really “get” your gift, know what I mean? It’s nice to have those people in our lives, too. Kara was just agitated with something, I don’t know what. I don't want friends like Kara either.  But oh…what a difference it makes to have Jennifers and Stevens and producers and vocal coaches working with you—for you!—refining you and your gift day in and day out. Find those people, and stay close to those people.

6. You can sing the exact same words to a different arrangement and it won’t be the same OR  Make sure you listen to the demo before you buy the track: During Carole King week, 17-year-old country singer, Scotty, sang the most gorgeous rendition of “You’ve Got a Friend” I have ever heard. Literally. It was outstanding. Off the charts. And that’s sayin’ somethin’ cuz

a. I’m not a big Scotty fan and

b. I AM a big James Taylor fan, and I posted HIM singing that same song long before Scotty was even born, like a few months ago.

So, the next day, I decided to download Scotty’s song from I-Tunes. Only, when I listened to the demo, it wasn’t the same version. The song was still “You’ve Got a Friend,” but it was like double time with banjos and an added dose of twang. It was TERRIBLE!!!!

And I don’t really know how I can spiritualize this point, except that I wanted to complain to someone about it, and it might as well be you. Because I really wanted that other version and it’s not available on I-Tunes!

Can you help me find a spiritual application for that last point? What other spiritual applications can you draw from your favorite television show?  Doesn't have to be American Idol.  Any show will do.

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May 2011 also brought a 31-Day Series I entitled

31 Days to Health, Wellness and Bathing Suit Season.

Click the title for links to that series.