Those of you who know me will know that I am quite a creative person and I have various outlets for my creativity. This includes songwriting and singing (I also play guitar) as well as being an author and speaker.
So it is the time of year when musicians start to apply to the Christian festivals that happen in the summer to see if they can get a ‘spot’ to share their music.
I have applied to a couple so far – I am still unearthing others to apply to. The thing is, if you don’t ask and if you’re not a multi-platinum award-winning artist, they won’t ask you – you’ve got to ask them.
So a couple of days ago I got a nice reply from one of the biggest Christian music festivals in the UK saying I needed to submit an EPK (Electronic Press Kit) along with various other stats and details. Today I was all prepared to compile all this information to send to them, when I received another email from someone different in the same organisation.
It basically said – we’re full, sorry!
Not a terrible rejection as far as rejections go. But a closed door all the same.
Now I have a choice. I could get very down and burn my guitar in a bonfire in the garden, or I keep going.
Jesus said if you get rejected (and you know you are walking in his will), shake the dust off your feet and move on.
So I am shaking off the dust. I’m looking at Jesus and what He has called me to do. If I am doing this, then I am successful, no matter how many festivals I play or not!
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves what the criteria for success is. In ministry (whatever form it takes) obedience to Jesus is the only definition of success.