by Jason Stephens
Music did not save my life. Jesus did. But God used music to serve me in ways no one else could in my early days of walking with Christ. In 2011, Da’ T.R.U.T.H.’s album, The Whole Truth taught me about the true character of Our Lord and how God can use someone’s gifts for His glory and kingdom.
I gave my life to Jesus in September 2011. I had no church and I knew very few Christians. One month after giving my life to Christ, I started a Bible Study and by God’s grace, I didn’t lead the attenders astray. Before each Bible study, I would google the passage, questions, and answers. I really knew little about God and His Word as a new believer. I needed someone to come along side me to help lay the foundation of my faith. At the time, I didn’t think I had someone to place this role in my life.
Before that September, I was a weed-smoking, Frat strolling, spoken-word artist. I was steeped in the campus’ black popular culture. Then, the gospel was shared with me through two separate InterVarsity members at the University of South Florida. The Lord then did something radical in my heart by convincing me that He saw me and He was demanding that I repent and follow Him. So one night, while alone in my home, I prayed to Jesus that He would save me. But as I entered the college ministry circles for fellowship, I felt I couldn’t relate to the Christians that were unfamiliar with my cultural experience. By doing this, I cut myself off from many of the opportunities to learn and grow as a Christian and embraced the pursuit of doing my own thing for the Lord. In hindsight, I would have approached community and discipleship differently. Despite this, God, in His great grace and mercy, still used me on the campus. In the meantime, He sent me someone I would listen to. Someone I would submit to. Someone I could relate to. His name was Da’ T.R.U.T.H.
After I had emptied my entire iTunes library of all the music that embraced my old life, I replaced it with Christian rappers. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. was by far the one I listened to the most. The music was good, but the music was simply a medium for mentorship. He helped me to establish the essential doctrines of the Christian faith. In many ways, he equipped me to lead those Bible studies every week. The album itself, was a testament to God’s grace and power.
Da’ T.R.U.T.H had committed infidelity in his marriage in the past. His affair was revealed publicly in 2009 and he took time off from music to repent and restore himself and his marriage. “The Whole Truth” was the first album following his restoration. The album chronicled his repentance. He spoke freely of his sin and how God had shown him grace. He expressed how his wife had forgiven him. He taught me that God really did forgive. Jesus really did redeem.
What I needed in my life was for someone to affirm that what I was experiencing was real. I needed someone to tell me more of what Jesus accomplished when He rose from the dead. This album is filled with the simple truths that lead to eternal life. My favorite song on the album, is Freedom. I was listening to this song when I decided that I, like Da’ T.R.U.T.H., wanted to use my voice and gifts to proclaim the goodness of Christ for the rest of my life. I have been pursuing this calling since.
Verse 3 of “Freedom” by Da’ T.R.U.T.H.:
I'm here to offer you hope through all your highs and lows
Might I propose that with Jesus nothing is impossible
He can provide you with strength to get you through obstacles
He got the power to rescue and get you out the hole
There is a pot of gold, for all the pride that goes
Throw your hands up and surrender, know that the Father knows
You on the winding road, but you are not alone
Hand Him the keys, and move over so He can drive you home
And do more than just give directions, He got the blood that will cover up all your imperfections
He got the keys that'll set you free from your prison sentence
You can raise up cause He specializes in resurrections
So give Him praise, and give Him reverence
When sinners pray, it's in His presence
You find the joy and strength that you need to make a change.
And break the shackles, let Him break the chains. All you need is...Freedom
Jason Stephens is a college ministry director at Sojourn Church Midtown and spoken word artist in Louisville, KY. He is currently working on an MDiv at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. His passion for seeing people radically changed by the gospel drives his life and ministry. You can listen and subscribe to Jason’s spoken word here.
This post is part of an ongoing series where we ask artists and arts professionals to share a piece of artwork that has significantly impacted their formation as a Christian.