Weekly Words

The Gospel According to Lil Wayne

A friend of mine let me hear an interview of Lil Wayne the other day. He knows how much I like to hear about and hear from people who have achieved greatness in some shape, form, or fashion. Whatever we may say about Lil Wayne’s music and personality, most of us have to agree that he is a metaphorical genius and lyrical mastermind. Furthermore, he is in an industry where people constantly flourish and then flounder. Yet, he has found a way to not only survive, but to thrive. In the interview, Lil Wayne was giving an account for his prolificacy and said something that caught my ear and has stayed in my thoughts since that moment. Explaining his success, he said (and I am paraphrasing), “Most rappers live in the club and work in the studio. I work in the club and live in the studio.” This was his account for the difference and distinction between himself and less successful rappers.

I Loved this reminder for those of us who can look at his multi-platinum, multi-million dollar success and take for granted that he is just a peculiar talent or just a product of luck. It reminds us that most people who have what we don’t have, often have been willing to do what we don’t do. It reminds us that great success usually is accompanied and preceded by great work. Lil Wayne says that while most rappers are in the club enjoying the spoils of past work, he is in the studio laying the foundation for future work. In other words, he simply works harder.

Interestingly enough Paul says something similar when talking about the difference between him and his peers. He says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them …” Just like Lil Wayne, Paul distinguishes himself from others in his line of duty by pointing to work ethic. Yes, he acknowledges God grace, but he also admits that there is an above and beyond work ethic that separates him from others. This is the gospel … the gospel of work ethic.

However, what may be good news to some of us may be bad news to a lot of us. When living in a Christian culture that spends so much of its time pleading for a miracle, praising for a breakthrough, and petitioning for deliverance, we can easily believe that our progression is waiting on an act of God. On the contrary, many of us need to ask if we are spending too much time in the club, and not enough time in the studio. Are we on the couch, when we need to be in the office? Are we with our boys (or girlfriends), when we need to be with our woman (or man)? Are we living for our social life, and barely attending to our spiritual life?

Yes, we want greatness—great success, great relationships, great prosperity, and great careers. But the question is how much are we asking God to work on our deliverance, without delivering on our work? Thank you Lil Wayne! Thank you for reminding us that if we don’t get where we “live,” and where we “work” right, we may be doomed to mediocrity and destined to be a one hit wonder.

Humbly in Christ’s Love,
Pastor B.A. Jackson