When gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds won his first Grammy Award in 2022, he didn't celebrate for weeks lastly. He certainly appreciated being recognized, but he quickly shifted his focus to his next project, the next album The Next Tour.
that's right road He was built. That also says, God wants to respond to his children. McReynolds says his identity is not listed in the awards.
“Our identity lies in our sons, daughters' sex, what we don't do actually McReynolds told the headline of Crosswalk.
McReynolds is known to music fans as the voice behind such a hit One Hallelujah, God is goodand MOVIN ON, I have it Wins multiple Stellar and Dove Awards Along the way, I took home the two of them Grammy Awards. He is He received eight Grammy Award nominations.
However, in his new book, McReynolds claims that Christians will learn more in the valley of lifedo not have At the summit. In fact, he says that believers sometimes have a distorted view of mountains and valleys. The title of this book is titled, Before you climb higher: Valley Wisdom for Mountain Dreams.
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“How do you look at the actual mountains and topography? Civilization was built And where are they It was built – The mountains are these cold, sturdy, lively, thin air structures,” he said. “Tari is usually Where there is greenery – there is a river, Lush and nutritious Front of the audience.
“So when I'm talking about the valley, I'm talking about this place more like a meadow, it's a place where civilization is. actually Because there is, it is built actually The material of life there. So if it takes too long to climb this mountain, it takes too long to worry about awards and titles and achievements and promotions, building this ministry, building this family, building this business. And from personal experience, there isn't much life there. So you see many of us burn out. You see many of us getting exhausted. And I just I pray that we can encourage people to return to the valley down because that is a place of life. In other words, I remember Who you are, a son or daughter of God. ”
McReynolds says that his identity in Christ fixed him through the highest and lowest values of life, reminding him of his worth beyond secular success.
“As a person who grew up A rather fatherless culture, A house where my father was not thereI think this many of these ideas of being a son, a daughter of God, and having a father is kind of foreigner for us. That makes no sense,” he said. “…and for me, faith is It's very important By reestablishing it. the It's very important By reestablishing where your identity came from. It's completely different from the kind of thing we pursue in life. ”
McReynolds won his second Grammy Award this year and won the best gospel song for his collaboration One Hallelujah.
He wants his fans to know that his worth is not defined by the outcomes of his life.
“There's a title that gives life,” he said. “There is a title where you don't need to drain yourself, and if we can live from it, we're okay with climbing – and that's when you're as a son or daughter of God. absolutely, You need to take care of things, but remember that there are some things that are being taken care of. ”
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Photo credit: ©Harper Collins
Michael Foot For 20 years, I have covered the intersection of faith and news. His stories appear in the Baptist Press, Christianity Today, Christian Post, Leaf Leaf, Toronto Star, Knoxville News Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's podcast! He is the host of Cross Walk Talka podcast where he talks to Christian movie stars, musicians, directors and more. Listen to famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian films, books, television and other entertainment. You can find Cross Walk Talk Above lifeaudio.comor subscribe apple or Spotify So you won't miss an interview that will surely encourage your faith.
It was originally published on February 25th, 2025.
