Episode 2: Overcoming Apathy and Stepping into God's Calling For Your Life with John Chisum
This week on The Music for the Soul Podcast, we are diving into the topic of hardships, apathy and truly understanding that Jesus Christ is with us in ALL things. Our guest on today's episode is founder of Nashville Christian Songwriters, John Chisum. John shares his story of moving to Nashville in 1983 to take a church job that ultimately fell through, leaving him and his newly wed wife with $40 in their pockets and no place to live. From there, he wound up becoming a mentee to the legendary Gary McSpadden which sparked his journey to write songs and perform all over the globe. However, in 2015, John ended his ministry job in Michigan and returned "home" to Nashville, where he said it was like 1983 all over again.
Through these periods of tumultuous highs and lows, John moved into having a "soul of shame". As he became more apathetic, he realized that apathy doesn't mean that you simply don't care but it means that you CAN'T care, you lose your capacity to care. However, it was in these moments of abject hopelessness that John shares his turnaround was walking around his neighborhood everyday. It was in those walks that everything began to fall away to the one thought of "I and my Father are ONE". From there, John knew that he was not exercising even the inate human powers that Christ has given us. Thus, his mindset began to shift and he began to step into God's true calling in his life by founding Nashville Christian Songwriters.
John's story is a raw, real look at how God often uses the deepest valleys of our lives to tell us to step up into who He has called us to be, and how He gives us the tools to accomplish that. This is an incredible episode for anyone who feels they are also walking in a place of apathy or depression and shows us that there is hope in ALL things through Christ.
Who is John Chisum?
John Chisum is a well-known worship leader, songwriter, publisher, and long-time music industry leader. With over 400 of his own songs published in his 30-year career, he is best known for his songs recorded by CCM Artists Larnelle Harris, Steve Green, The Cathedrals, The Gaither Vocal Band, First Call, Don Moen, Ron Kenoly, and on dozens of Integrity’s Hosanna! Music Series recordings. His songs have also been featured in hymnals, on Time-Life Music products, and on his own catalog of worship recordings. His Integrity Music album “Firm Foundation” is a worship classic that has won the hearts of listeners worldwide.
Resources:
Our listeners can learn more about John's 31 day "modevotional" email list, podcast and more through his website: www.johnchisum.com
You can reach John on all of his social media channels: @JohnChisumOfficial
You can also learn more about his ministry, Nashville Christian Songwriters, by visiting their website: www.nashvillechristiansongwriters.com
Thank you so much for listening to this episode of the Music for the Soul Podcast! If you haven't already, please leave us a five star rating and review wherever you get this podcast. We are so grateful to bring you this powerful story and many more like it in the future.