Some Timely Words from Gospel Artist Alvin Slaughter
"The answer that Jesus gives is this: 'You are the beloved of God.' To me, that encompasses everything we will ever need. If God loves us, it is the weight of the world vs. the awesome love of God. If we can just understand times and seasons, and live it out [believing God loves us], we will become ultimate 'overcomers' in the process."
This past spring I had the opportunity to sit down for a chat with Gospel recording artist, Alvin Slaughter. Even in just casually talking, Alvin is dynamic and encouraging, as he exudes God's love.
In light of the distressing news on Wall Street of late, I thought a reminder that God's people are "overcomers in Christ" was in order. Alvin conveyed that message effectively in the aforementioned interview, which can be read in its entirety in July/Aug. 2008 issue of "Worship Musician magazine." An excerpt of that article follows below?
Talk about your new album: "Overcomer."
I'm really excited about it. We overcome a lot of different things in our life, and we continue to face things. I don't know what's ahead in our nation, I travel around the world and I've never seen the U.S. dollar so low. I watched the news this morning and they said that gas has risen twelve cents in the last seven days. I've never seen a time in my whole life [like this] where people are walking away from their houses and leaving the keys in the door because they can't afford it. Retail outlets are laying people off and people are becoming overwhelmed. How do I know? I've been there myself at times, and if I don't stay pressed in to God, I'll be there again. (Photo: AlvinSlaughter.com)
But here's what I've found; most people are living their lives like they're in a holding pattern. The Purpose Driven Life was a big book?because people are asking, "What is my purpose, what am I supposed to be doing?" It's a good thing in one respect and bad in another respect, because it makes it seem like what you're doing right now is not significant. I didn't realize [then] that all those things I went through?bankruptcies, foreclosures, the sitting in the back of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, and feeling like a worthless nothing?I never knew that all those things would be the impetus for what I'm doing today. My ministry has never been based on the success of my last album. My ministry is based on one thing; hoping that when I come to a church?white, black, purple or green?that I can sing or speak something that will bring hope and healing to the hearts of people, and then the churches keep inviting me back.
Overcomer is about this; don't wait until the battle is over. Learn how to rejoice in the middle of the battle; don't get stuck in the circumstances. People are stuck in their lives, and don't realize that failure, disappointment, humiliation, even shame, is part of the process. It's the process of life to have your heart broken. To love your children dearly and want to see the best for them, and they disappoint you?it's the process of life. To pray and ask God for a miracle, and you don't get it, is the process of life. To believe God that you're going to get a better job, and that it'll be a better year next year, and next year ends up being the worst year?that's the process of life. And if we understand it's the process of life, then we start asking questions. We don't ask enough questions; too many of us are waiting for God to come rescue us. What we have to do is say, "God, You said that the same power that brought Jesus from the dead lives inside of me. You said that I would receive power when the Spirit comes upon me. What do I have to do to become a more powerful person?"
Here's one of the things that I've overcome and am still overcoming; I used to spend my life saying, "God, I can't wait until things are easier." Now I don't pray that. I say, "God, I'm not asking for things to be easier, I'm asking for You to make me stronger. I'm not asking for things to be better, I'm asking for you to make it worth it." Sometimes I have to remind myself that three or four times a day. When you begin to say those things to yourself enough, God has a way of taking it from your head and depositing it in your spirit. He can give you a certain resolve that, even though you're having your worst day, there's a part of you inside your heart and head that is resilient, and that God can [use to] turn you into a warrior. I believe that the true worshippers are warriors; a true worshipping musician is a warrior, which means that there will be bruises, and disappointments. [But] I've lived long enough to know that I've seen the faithfulness of God.
Because, at the end of the day, I believe that most people believe in God, but have stopped believing in themselves. Disappointments and life happens?. [In the Bible] Jesus says to one man, "Do you believe?" and he answers, "I believe, help Thou my unbelief." I had no idea what that meant until I read The Message version. The man says, "I believe, but I don't know if I believe enough." I think most people love God and believe in God, but they don't know if they believe enough to get results. "Do I believe enough to have a purpose? Do I believe enough to save this relationship with this family member? Do I believe enough to get through this financial devastation? Do I believe enough to get over my fears? I go to church and still don't feel anything, I go home and don't feel anything, I hate the job that I'm in . . . do I believe enough?" The answer that Jesus gives is this: "You are the beloved of God." To me, that encompasses everything we will ever need. If God loves us, it is the weight of the world vs. the awesome love of God. If we can just understand times and seasons, and live it out [believing God loves us], we will become ultimate "overcomers" in the process.
Along with many other aspects, the ministry of Alvin Slaughter includes:
? The non-profit organization, Alvin Slaughter International, which works to feed, clothe, and educate those in dire situations as well as training leaders in Africa to stem the tide of poverty and disease in their own nation.
? We Are One Ministries Inc. of Malawi, Africa, a church whose vision to evangelize, disciple and empower the people of Malawi, is accomplished through preaching, education, leadership training, and an orphanage and food program.
To learn more about Alvin Slaughter, visit his website: www.alvinslaughter.com.
