New Me

Dear family,

Most people have New Year’s resolutions. I may have had them a handful of times my entire life. I’ve had seasons where I was ready to reinvent myself, ready to do and be better, but none like the one that I am in right now. This COVID-19 pandemic has changed so many things for all of us. As an artist, I haven’t been able to perform and earn as much money as I was pre-pandemic. I was gearing up for a great year in my performance career, ready to give it the biggest push the I’ve ever attempted before. I even left my adjunct position as a jazz voice professor at Howard University in an attempt to follow God’s instruction. To be honest, I questioned many of the things that I felt God had told me, wondering if it was truly Him or just me making it up, but He keeps reassuring me in my prayers, thoughts, quiet meditation, and through confirmation from other people that He has me right in the palm of His hands.

Some of you may be wondering what this big change in the direction of my musical career is all about. Why would she suddenly decide to only sing God’s music? Why would she turn down opportunities? Why would she put herself in a box? I have one answer for all of these questions, His Will. I am a firm believer that only what you do for Christ will last. the Bible says “And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” (1 John 2:17 ESV). The gift that I have was given to me by God and for a reason. Everything that He gives us should be used to glorify Him and to build His kingdom, which means to tell the Truth to everyone.

As a young girl first starting out in music. My mother helped me to learn songs and practice them with my demo tapes. One day as I practiced on my own in the living room, I lay on the floor daydreaming. I had a burning desire to be a gospel singer at the time. I had a vision of myself receiving a Grammy Award and confetti coming down all around me. As a child, I had no idea exactly what a Grammy was, so as an adult, I now realize that God was giving me a glimpse of my future. He had placed that desire within me, and over the years, exposure to other ways of doing things derailed my desires. I am now coming full circle.

God knows our hearts. I have never departed from singing His music. I grew up in church, and even while singing jazz and all kinds of other music, I never performed music that was immoral and inappropriate. I never stopped ministering via my voice in church. Money became a big incentive as I began to “work” on the music scene in DC, just like any other musician who makes a living off of doing what they love. I don’t make it my business to judge others, but I know that if I trust God and do His will, He will do the rest.

Now is the time to walk in boldness, declare the truth, and build the Kingdom of God no matter what other people say. I know that I may loose fans, friend, relationships, etc. due to my boldness. But I would rather lose them than lose my blessings, my salvation, and leave the lost behind. I pray that through my walk and my gifting, God would show Himself to all that see/hear, and that people will see His light clearly though me, and decide to live boldly for Christ as well.

Love,

Shacara Rogers