"Unsung"

My wife Kacie and I spent hours this weekend snacking, relaxing and watching T.V. She loves "Shark Tank" that feeds her entrepreneurial spirit and I love "Unsung" which feeds my old school, back in the day, nostalgic spirit.

I was in "back in the day" heaven as I watched David Ruffin sing his early hits with the Temptations...("My Girl", "I Ain't Too Proud To Beg", "I Wish It Would Rain", "I Know I'm Losing You") and on and on and on. Those songs took me straight back to those blue light basement parties, weekly infatuations, cheap wine and what seemed like a simpler time.

On Thanksgiving Day "Unsung" began the "Keeping It 100" marathon. We saw the Chi-Lites, Teddy Pendergrass, Atlantic Starr, Midnight Star, Nate Dogg, Confunksion, the Emotions, Heat Wave and many many more.

I sang along, smiled, cut a few steps and constantly nudged my wife asking, "Baby you remember that" at which she would remind me that she probably wasn't born when that song came out.

Unsung chronicled the rise and fall of these groups and individual singers. For most of them lasting success and fame eluded them for various reasons so they became unsung. While watching the series I noticed a commom thread through most of the groups and individual singers.

1.) A lot of them started singing in Church.

2.) They all had tremendous talent coupled with unbridled ambition.

3.) They fell for the lie that fame, money and a hedonistic lifestyle of sex, drugs, alcohol and greed could bring them happiness.

4.) They blew up, rode the crest of success and eventually crashed like a fallen star out of it's orbit.

5.) The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and pride of life took them out (1 John 2:16).

This reminded me of how important it is to stay anchored to God...especially on the mountaintop of success (Hebrews 6:19).

God's will is that we prosper and have success (3John:2). He delights in the prosperity and well-being of his servants (Psalms 35:27). God wants to give us the desires of our hearts (Psalms 37:4). And with all of that He gives us the ability and creativity to get wealth. This confirms His covenant with us (Deuteronomy 8:18). These are just a few scriptures that confirm God's desire for our success and prosperity. I'd recommend a study finding scriptures on God's mind towards prosperity.

Even more than God's will to prosper us is His will to conform us into the image of Jesus (Romans 8:29). When we're conformed in the image of Jesus the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22,23; 2Peter 1:5-9) will manifest in our lives and we abide in the vine (John 15:4,5) which produces fruit (success).

When success knocks on our door (and it will) our Heavenly Father can trust we will handle it because our hearts are right.

I don't know about you, I don't want to become Unsung.