A chat with Lecrae
10th September 2009 by Julia Hosking
In the lead up to The Big Exo Day on 19 September, Julia Hosking asked Christian rapper Lecrae a few questions about his relationship with God and The Salvation Army...
Amidst touring and busy schedules, how do you maintain and prioritise your relationship with God?
If I don't prioritise time and devotion with God then I really [can't] function. My schedule is full of me pouring out. I need constant input in order for me to pour out. He's not just a part of my day. He's the centre of my day. I am constantly praying, constantly reflecting and constantly meditating on his truth. Plus it helps when your friends and family are centred in him as well.
What is the first thing you think of when you hear "The Salvation Army"?
Honestly, where I used to get clothes from as a kid! My mom was thrifty ‘cause we didn't have much money so I spent time in Salvation Army centres as a kid finding clothes for school, lunch boxes, toys and so on. So I never connected the name Salvation Army to the Salvation the Lord provides and an Army of believers fighting to share the Gospel.
What one message would you like to communicate to today's Salvation Army youth?
To make sure their lives are marked by a radical, fanatical, passionate, wartime lifestyle for Christ. If it's become enough to just say you're Christian and show up for events and activities then there is a problem. That's not the mark of a Christ follower. Every area of life should be filtered through your relationship with God. School, friends, choices, sharing your faith, parents, siblings, sports, everything should be submitted to God and his thoughts on those things should be our thoughts on those things.
How has the hip-hop music realm opened doors for you in terms of sharing the love of Jesus? How might young people apply this to their lives?
In the same way I'd challenge people to live out 1 Corinthians 10:31 (do all things for God's glory) I've been challenged. Hip-hop is more than music; it's a worldwide culture of people from every race under the sun. A culture that needs to hear the Gospel. So if I can use the art form to communicate to the culture that God designed them for his glory, we all fall short of that glory, are sinful and need a Saviour to pay for our sin, and bring us back to our original purpose by giving us new hearts, new ways, new desires that bring him glory, then I want to do that. I think people of any age need to use their gifts, time, talents, and treasures to show the world hope that lies within them. Jesus Christ is our Living Hope that will never fail us.
*To hear Lecrae perform alongside other music artists such as Relient K and New Empire, don't miss Big Exo Day 2009. Head to the official website here or read an article on salvos.org.au/more about it.
**Photo courtesy of The Big Exo Day.
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Comments
hey guys i went to exo day 09 this and i loved it it was the 1st time i have been and it was the most fun i have had in ages i love god he is my saviour and i give him my life lecrae was cool i now have his songs on my phone and his ouagraph in my room on my wall i love god and the big exo day was a grate way to show it