Reading a biography can be one of the best sanctifying tools that we didn’t know we had. I found myself receiving a copy of an autobiography of a musician that I have been a fan of since, as my kids would say, “the 1900s”. I am definitely a music snob, but only in the most unconventional ways. My taste can be somewhat obscure to the radio-listener, and I despise sharing my affinity for an artist. I can only compare it to a great-aunt with a secret recipe. No one else could possibly like my favorite artists as much as me. Am I alone in this? I was somewhat wary of starting this autobiography, knowing enough about the artist to know that he was teetering on the fence of like and dislike, and I didn’t want to shove him over. So I began reading and right away was regretting opening this can of worms. I was annoyed, and somehow, completely carefree about my dislike for him and his immaturity, poor writing, and general attitude about life. I was determined to try, however, and as I continued to read, albeit with a furrow in my brow, I felt a familiar pang of conviction. The person who I was so liberally criticizing, was just that, a person. A real, living, human being, made in the image of God. Words on a page can really be a false wall of reality. I can sling insults with fairly good aim when I am merely talking to a book. That is not how I would treat anyone face to face.
I am almost through, and truthfully, it is a sad story. A lost soul with incredible talent who is only feebly scratching the surface of the question of God and truth and salvation. A poor quality publication? Yes. A role model for my children? No. Yet as I am reading the words of a person who is living and breathing, my attitude has changed, and hopefully I will remember this when I pick up another book. Don’t misunderstand me, there is real garbage floating around, thick as pea soup, and many biographies that are not worth our time, but this time my heart is softened, and I am reminded “there but for the grace of God go I”. Now as a real symbol of growth, I will share a song I like that they don’t play on the radio.