David, the Bluesman
I am often asked about the "apparent" oxymoron in the phrase "Christian Blues". Do people of faith sometimes doubt? Do those whose lives are based on hope experience despair? Does the believer who follows this God who refers to Himself as Love Incarnate feel pain? Do bad things happen to them? Are they immune to trial, sorrow and struggle?
If one thinks and relates to honest life experiences, no matter how much faith, hope and love God has given us, the answer to the above questions are "Yes, " The world as we have it, is fallen. Sin is present. The possibility for both sin and righteous living under Jesus are always available to us all. Beyond sin, people also make mistakes. I think there is no escape from the fact that Christian or not, certainly the blues experience whether musical or social can be and is shared by all.
The bible tells us that Jesus was "a man of sorrows, well-acquainted with grief". (Isaiah 53:3)
Disarming, isn't it?
David, writer of most of the psalms remains my favorite. True, he was a sinner. He was courageous, stupid, a leader, a friend, lustful goof, a man after God's heart, shepherd, biblical bluesman, worshipper, serious about God being honored first. David the Bluesman, what a guy!
Glenn Kaiser 2001
