I think I’m a better talker than writer. And I think I’m a better listener than talker. So I listen to a lot of music. One album that I constantly find myself running back to for more is Travis Scott’s new album, “Astroworld”. “Astroworld” is the fifth project of Jacques Webster (you know his real name isn’t Travis Scott right?). The album is a melodic synthesis that takes twists and turns like the Texas Cyclone roller coaster.
One song that stands out to me is “STOP TRYING TO BE GOD”. It opens with distorted cosmic sounds from a fun house which are instantly followed by seraphic vocals from James Blake and sublime humming from Kid Cudi. The song wraps up with a heady harmonica solo from Stevie Wonder. The phrase “Stop tryna be God” is repeated multiple times in Travis Scott’s native autotune tongue. He counsels listeners to present themselves as regal while working with integrity, to choose a small number of respected individuals, and to “Stop tryna play God almighty.”
I may be very wrong about what I am going to say, so feel free to respectfully confront me about it. I think that Travis is saying that we should stop trying to micromanage the lives of others as God. Instead, we are called to love and care for others as our true, earthly example, Jesus Christ does. Before the Bible majors start throwing pseudo-judgmental shade, here’s a verse. “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10). God is in control and we should not worry. He is the only one who can truly strengthen and help His people.
So instead of worrying about being in control of our lives and the lives of others, what should we do? The Book of John writes:
As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Fatherʼs commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down oneʼs life for oneʼs friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his masterʼs business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other. (John 15:9-17)
We are to find comfort in and yearn after God’s love while sharing that love with our brothers and sisters. Be willing to die for those you love in your close circle. That is what God called Jesus to do for us and that is what we should do for other. We should be willing to lay our lives down to love others.
That may look like letting your friend win a game of FIFA every now and then. If that doesn’t apply for you, then think of how you want people to serve and treat you, then do that for others. My last point is to give “Astroworld” a listen. It is one of the best albums I have heard.