The Set-Up
One of my current songs is “Craig” by Walker Hayes. Here are the words to the first verse and chorus:
I met Craig at a church called Redeeming Grace
It’s like he understood my “I don’t want to be here” face
I felt out of place and I smelled like beer
But he just shook my hand, said “I’m glad you’re here”
He says, “We’ll all be judged”
But he was never judgmental
And even though my songs don’t belong in no hymnal
He’d quote me my lyrics, slap me on the back
Said, “Man you’ve got a gift! How you write like that?”
Yeah, I know, he sounds cool, right?
Not your typical kid from Sunday school, right?
I still ain’t figured out church yet
But Craig, I get
Nah he can’t walk on water, or turn a Napa Valley red
But he just might be tight with a Man that did
Now he’s not the light of the world
But I wish that mine was bright as his
Yeah he just might be tight with a Man that is
I’m not a crier, but I honestly can’t listen to this song without tears welling up in my eyes. What makes this song even better is that it’s based on a true story. In an interview with Hoda Kotb on the Today Show, Hayes shares that being an artist in Nashville really messed him up. When he met Craig, Hayes was an alcoholic, a musician without a record deal, and dealing with the loss of a child. Through Craig, Hayes - a self-proclaimed atheist - was able to experience the love of Jesus. The whole interview is really impactful, and it shares how Craig, an unemployed pastor, saw Hayes as an answer to prayer, the friend he had been asking for.
On a personal level, I think why this song is so impactful for me is because I’ve been both Walker Hayes and Craig. I started attending Journey Church when I was out of a job, struggling with depression, and drinking way too much. Pastor Darrick and his family, along with the rest of Journey Church, took me in, showed me love, and gave me a job. Because of that support and unconditional love, I’ve been able to extend that to others.
Many of my closest friends are those who don’t attend church, most of them choosing not to attend because of the pain they’ve received from the church. I’ve always felt very passionate about embracing those that are outside of the church, especially those who have been hurt by “religious people.” It’s been incredible and humbling to see how God has used my life to reach others. A few months ago, I was able to help baptize one of my best friends as she made a public declaration of her faith in Jesus Christ. I am absolutely blown away by how God used me in her life. Like Walker Hayes and Craig, we were both at a place in our lives where we needed someone, and God brought us together.
I think that if Paul was alive today, someone might write a song about him titled, “Paul.” He was always willing to reach those who needed to hear Jesus, no matter what that looked like. He laid aside his Jewish traditions to reach those who weren’t Jewish; he kept the Jewish laws when he was around Jewish people. Paul took on the burdens of others so that they might know the unconditional love of Jesus Christ.
Our world is so full of entitled people, people who are only concerned about their rights or their comfort. But as followers of Jesus, our concern should be to show others His love and share the gospel. In other words, in a world full of Karens, be a Craig.
Passage to Read
Reflection Questions
Would you say that you’re a “Walker Hayes” or a “Craig”? Why?
Paul grew up Jewish and was extremely educated in the Jewish traditions, but he still set aside his traditions to reach people for Jesus. How can you apply that to your own life?
Walker Hayes said that he experience Jesus’ love through Craig. As believers, others should be able to say that about us. Is that true about you? What can you do to change or continue that?
Prayer Idea
Thank God that He places us around the people we need and that need us. Thank Him for choosing to use us to reach other people, even though we’re imperfect and mess up often. Ask Him to help you see people who need to hear about Him and experience His love.