MUSIC AND THE MESSIAH…Hamilton Makes his Decision

Hamilton Brown acknowledged the call of God at the tender age of eight, because the words of a particular sermon impressed upon his heart, but as he grew older, his passion for becoming a musician grew as well, he found it a challenge to live an uncompromising Christian life.

He dabbled in all areas of music, but as a Christian it bothered his conscience. Would he need to do away with one and keep the other? Or could he find a middle ground?

"To uphold the true biblical Christian standard in a world where Christianity is far from peculiar in comparison to secular activities, is tough at times," Hamilton Brown told Family and Religion.

He continued. "The Christian journey was not what I expected after the young age of eight. I didn't understand that temptation was an everyday, every moment reality and that I would need the faith of Jesus to live the life He lived on earth. I didn't realise how hard forgiveness would be, and how void I was, and am of God's love."

living a lie

It took Brown years to realise that he was living a lie, playing secular music and thinking it was gospel.

"In high school, I started a death metal 'Christianish' band, thinking I was doing something edgy but not too bad. Most persons would say to me at that time, 'Christian metal is wrong', so I'd throw the question back, 'So what about all the other amalgamations, like 'gospel rock' (aka most of the accepted praise and worship music) among others."

He added: "I've found it difficult to find approaches in sacred music (which I believe is vastly different from what is known as gospel music these days) that doesn't sound like clubbing, so I haven't been playing the guitar as much for the last few months, because I decided to take a break and allow the Lord to guide my musical tastes and approaches. I've been called all kinds of things for doing this one thing for Christ."

much-needed support

Receiving much-needed support from his mother, his girlfriend, friends and family, locally and overseas, Brown believes the key to a closer walk with God is being able to decipher the messages of God and that of the devil.

"The hardest thing for me was learning that God isn't a restrictive parent who bosses His children around. That is an ongoing work, which I believe is the case for many. That very lie is why most Christians find it difficult to grow spiritually, because many believers, and non-believers alike, still hold on to the lie Satan told Eve, which essentially depicted God as a being that doesn't mean what He says because He is holding out on you in some way."

challenges

"Some things that we see take place in the lives of us humans don't make sense. Not believing Satan's lies can become challenging when all we are bombarded with are attractively tailored messages that encourage the very things Jehovah's government abhors."

Believing it is only the grace of God that has afforded him the opportunity to share his testimony, Brown's wish is that everyone, especially youth, will come to truly know God for themselves.

"Get to know God ... your friends can't take you seriously when you talk about God if your life isn't saying, 'I truly love Jesus'. There are many distractions around, but quality time - and I mean quality time - in studying, not just reading the word of God - will strengthen and enable you, by faith, to impact your peers and be just like Jesus."

religionandfamily@gleanerjm.com