I think about this from time to time, but I’ve never actually written it out or told anyone about it. Anyone who knows me well knows that music is a major part of my life. When I don’t have enough music in my life, I feel unfulfilled.
However, what you probably don’t know was that for some time when I was younger, I thought that I would pursue music as my career. In fact, my percussion instructor was aware of this fact and was disappointed when I told him I was not going to major in music and was undecided about going to college at all (I didn’t think I was smart enough for college). Prior to this, I had attended a bible camp, and while there was an alter call, I felt moved to approach. I told the director the camp that for some time I had felt that God was calling me to become a music minister. He prayed with me. Later that week, my own pastor came to me and told me, “Daniel, Jesus calls men to preach the Word. He does not call men to be choir directors.” I remember this scene vividly. It was pretty soul-crushing.
I’ve always considered music a hobby from then on. And frankly, from that point on, religion itself progressively meant less and less to me as I grew up.