The other night I began watching a documentary about the rock group “The Eagles”. How and why they formed the group, who were the principal musicians, etc.
It was interesting learning how two ordinary guys, who weren’t tremendously talented, made it all the way to stardom.
It suddenly hit me.
I could have been a rock star.
I’m not pumping up my own heels, honest. So please, don’t quit reading.
Sure, Don Henley and Glen Frey were talented guys as far as your average Joe is concerned (no, that wasn’t a reference to Joe Walsh). But they were not the best musicians to ever find their way to a recording studio.
Somewhat like myself. Not the best, but possibly better than your ordinary run-of-the-mill musician.
I could have been a rock star.
I’m not looking at this “revelation” as something I wish I would have followed through on; even though, as a teen, I wanted nothing more than to be in a band, make tons of music, live a wild party kind of life, and become filthy rich.
Of course it never happened.
I got married at 18, and while I was developing my skills as a musician, and the desire to be a star was still inside me somewhere, I followed the path back to Iowa, then West Virginia, and eventually into the Kingdom of God.
Oh, I could have hung out in California like Don and Glen did. We were living in Orange County around the same time Don and Glen were introduced to people like Linda Ronstadt, Jackson Browne, and others who were instrumental in discovering and forming the group of guys who’d later become known as The Eagles.
I could have become a rock star.
But I didn’t.
And I’m glad.
God had other plans. And, like I said, I’m glad.
Just a few short years after getting married, the biggest thing that could ever have happened, happened to me.
I became a new creation in Christ. A child of God. An heir of God. A joint-heir with Christ.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
I don’t mean to infer those who are rock stars don’t know true purpose and peace. Not all of them, anyway. But watching the documentary helped me realize all the things God saved me FROM. I already had enough that God to change in my life without jumping into the pit of unimaginable wealth and immorality.
Yes, I still enjoy music. Actually, I really enjoy music. Playing, performing, or whatever you’d like to call it. It’s a part of who I am; who God made me.
I enjoy singing and playing in honor of the living God Who changed my focus those many years ago. Worshipping Jesus simply because He is worthy of all honor, glory, and praise.
As for the guy who wanted to be a rock star… well, I’m just glad he didn’t meet the “right people”.
I could have been a rock star, but thank God, I never made it.
Has God ever kept you from something you thought you wanted, even needed? You may want to praise Him for that.
“[God]… who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:4 – 103:5 ESV)
He redeemed me by keeping me from it, even before I ever started thinking about Him.
Wow!
