Anyone who knows me knows the fact that T.I. was coming to Easter worship service was a big deal to me. I've been a fan of this man since he was running around talking about "I'm Serious" and everyone was questioning why this arrogant negro was disrespecting the South by crowning himself Da King. I mean seriously, if Jesus would've called and said, "Kia, I'm not going to be able to show up at service today" my butt probably would've said, "I understand, Lord, but do you mind if I go and see T.I." LOL, God knows my heart.
Once I got wind of the fact that he would be showing up, I emailed my peeps to let them know what was going on. My girl, Erika, came through with the witty comment like always. "Please remember to focus on the word and not scope out all three services trying to identify the man's police detail." Lucky for me, we only had one service since we were able to worship in the Georgia Dome, and I didn't need to scope out his police detail because one of the ministers from the church introduced him and handed him the mic.
As I stood, along with the rest of the congregation and clapped, and my son, Cameron, annoyingly rolled his eyes with frustration, I was really anticipating what Tip would say from the pulpit. As he began to speak, I realize why I admire this man so much: his SWAGGER!!!
In my opinion, T.I. has the perfect mixture of confidence and humbleness. This man knows who he is, he knows that he's good and what he does, and he demands that you respect him for that. At the same time, he knows that his life could've been drastically different, and he didn't have to be given the opportunity to become T.I. So he's humbled by the accolades he receives. As he stood among the 30,000 church folk in the Dome, his awesome combination of confidence and humbleness—his swagger—shined like never before.
We all know church folks can be a little (dare I say it) judgmental, and T.I.'s troubles have definitely not been private. Had I been enduring what he's been through the past couple of months, I would have been weary of walking in the church, let alone taking the mic and speaking. But my man Tip didn't miss a beat. He walked up, took the mic, and started spitting his urban wisdom with complete confidence.
We had been doing a lot of HIV/AIDS outreach throughout the city, so after acknowledging Jesus and the occasion, he took the opportunity to speak to the young 'uns about sex and HIV. He told them they should do it God's way and practice abstinent. He also recognized that all of them would not be waiting until they said I do's, so he encouraged them to protect themselves. He pointed out that just because shawty looks good and doesn't look like he/she has anything doesn't mean they're clean, and he encouraged them to ask themselves one question before they settled on judging a book by its cover: "Would you bet your life on it? Because that's exactly what you're doing."
Before he left the stage he said (and I'm quoting from memory so it will not be exact), "I know a lot of yall would like to hear me talk about something else (the congregation laughs), but I'm not going to do that today. Just know that He (points to the sky) gots me so I'm going to be alright." A little later he stated that he had asked God for forgiveness for the same thing so many times, yet God always had his back.
As he sat down, I thought, Wow, this man is amazing. He has a public mess going, yet he steps in front of what could possibly be the most judgmental crowd ever and uplift others while acknowledging his own shortcomings and drama.
What's really ironic is about three days later, I spoke with a friend who confided in me their fears of walking in a church after years of being absent. That got me thinking, how many people are going through hard times and truly need God and the ministry of the church, yet they refuse to do so for fear of judgment? It's unfortunate that this would ever be an issue. Ideally, the church is supposed to be open for hurting, broken, scared, and confused individuals. However, churchgoers have become so self-righteous and caught up in their "good deeds" that they harshly judge those who are truly looking to have an experience with God.
Today, I want to challenge those on both sides of this issue to step up. For those who haven't been to church in awhile or are going through public trials, don't be afraid to boldly walk into God's house. I'll be the first to say, I love my God, but some of His people are jacked up. Ignore them. The real saints of God understand your struggle and pain because they've had their own share of troubles. They will be there to help you walk it out. They understand that but by the grace of God, there goes I, so they won't judge you; they'll just help you walk it out. Nothing you do is too big, bad, or wrong that the Blood of Jesus can cover and deliver you from and through, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a liar.
Church folk, get your mind right, and remember, but by the grace of God there goes I. It could have been you and would've been you if God had not covered you. Even on your best day you are not fit to go before the throne of God if it were not for the Blood of Jesus. Why don't you try to spend more time helping someone discover who God is instead of mounting evidence as to why they are not fit for God's house. satan is the accuser of the brethren. So I ask you, whose work are you really doing? And if the devil isn't chasing you, you're probably working on his team, so your issues are deeper than those that you are judging.
