We think of our magazine as a ministry whose
mission is to help worship musicians and
teams get #BetterBySunday. God put the word
flourish on our hearts this year to remind us that
#BetterBySunday applies to who we are, not
just what we do. Flourishing teams are the fruit
of a flourishing people, which is why books like
“When God Becomes Real” are so important…
Bethel Music’s Brian Johnson is not only the
son of one of the most respected pastors in
the world, he’s also one of the most respected
worship leaders we know of. Whether you’re
a leader or team member, there are a lot of
spoken and unspoked pressures about how we
should ‘measure up’. The great thing about the
message behind this book, is that it reminds all
of us that there is life and healing on the other
side of our messes. In fact, it is in those messes
in which God really reveals how much He’s got
our back. We don’t have to do it in our own
strength, and even when you have as much
profile as someone like Brian does, God is OK
with the mess because He’s OK with us.
Not only is this interview a powerful testimony
to this message, it provides great insight into
what we find out about ourselves when we
care to take a deeper look in the mirror, warts
and all. Type A, Type B, that doesn’t matter.
What does matter is our ability to make room
for those around us, and our ability to surround
ourselves with people who know the warning
signs before we get off track!
So I ended up going, “Man, I should write a that God is real in our lives, even in the way
[WM] Brian, this is an incredibly revealing book… I need to write a book…” and finally I that He becomes our only option. So, when I
book, and definitely challenges the mentality was like, “Fine!” I’m not a reader you know? went through this thing, all of my crutches were
that leaders have to have it all figured out to be (laughs) Just to be honest, I did it because I had gone, I couldn’t go to anything else to bring me
great at what they do. Can you tell us why this to. So, the irony of writing a book is just my little the peace that I needed. I ended up getting to
book needed to be written? joke with God. a point where it was like, “God if you don’t step
in, not only is this not going to work, but I don’t
[Brian Johnson] I wasn’t planning on writing But, there was a massive need that I started know how much longer I can live like this.” The
a book, let alone a book on this subject. I seeing by the testimonies that were coming in. torment that I lived in was so extreme. That’s
was thirty-six and had a nervous breakdown I think that I fall into the category of an artist when God started doing His work for me, that
season. I came through it and my Dad asked – and creative as well. As much as I’d like to miracle for me.
me to speak on a Sunday night. I spoke and say I’m not or that I’m tough, when you’re it became the number one message that year, an artist or creative you’re very sensitive and I think as leaders and worshippers, if we can
and what that showed us was that there is a you pick up on a lot of stuff. I think it’s really have that relationship with God where we ‘know
real need. important that as humans or as artist/creatives that we know that we know’ God stepped in
March 2019
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