Festival of Booths

John 7, timing, and platform games.

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I was getting ready to create this blog, but I needed a name. I pulled out my book of John, a pocket sized version that a coworker gave to me, and popped it open hoping to find inspiration. I had randomly turned to John 7, headlined “Jesus Goes To The Festival of Booths”.

I read the passage, and though I don’t completely understand its nuances, I found some connections about timing, and platforms, and purpose.

There was a plan I had for many years, about how I would pursue my writing career. The plan was to get a short story published, then another, then another, and to build upon established platforms to get my name out there. I was waiting to go through the gatekeepers. And for some, this may be the right path. But I realized, through God and the help of others, that I had been putting myself and even (trying to put) God into a box. And also that I was missing the point.

In John 7, Jesus’ brothers encouraged him to make his presence known at the Festival of Booths. He could show up, and do some miracles for the masses that would be gathered there. He should go and capitalize on the platform of an established cultural event. He could use the festival to increase his fame. But they were missing the point. Jesus wasn’t after what they thought he was after, he wasn’t after fame or popularity. The point for Jesus was to be faithful to the one who sent him. They did not understand him or his message, and they did not believe in him (John 7:5).

The point for me as a writer, is to faithfully share what God has shared with me. And I don’t need to wait for established publishers to do that. I know that’s really obvious, but I was so set on a specific path, that I was completely missing the obvious.

In his song Blessings (Reprise), Chance the Rapper says “I used to pass out music. I still pass out music.” This song is from the album Coloring Book. With this album Chance earned three Grammy awards without a major record deal. Without an established industry platform. He did not go through the gatekeepers. He even denied them access to himself.

(*Disclaimer: I do not consider Coloring Book a Christian album nor do I recommend it as such. While there are some songs with Christian themes and messages, the gospel of Christ is not consistently present throughout the album as a whole. The music is exceptional, but the pull of secular culture is blatant, and the album, while permissible, may not be beneficial to many seeking to grow in Christ-like maturity.*)

So, this blog is where my writing will go for now, one measure of passing out stories. It will consist of essays, fiction, science fiction and fantasy, probably music articles too. Influences reflected in my writing include the person of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Bible, Christian pastors and theologians, hip-hop artists, and the city of Baltimore where I was born, raised, and live.

It is my prayer that in some way, it is a blessing.

Sincerely,

John Dorsey Jr