I remember a song I loved growing up called “The Other Side of the Radio.” The song stood out to me because it broke what those in the media world call the “fourth wall” before I even knew what that phrase meant. When you break the fourth wall, you’re breaking down the barrier between the art and the recipient, whether the format is a song, film, poem – take your pick. The song opens up saying:
Here I am on the other side of the radio
Wondering why I’m here and why anybody cares what I say
No I’m not a better man ’cause I’m singing the songs on the radio
‘Cause we’re all the same at the end of the day
Even as I’m writing this blog, I’m wondering the same thing – “Why would anybody care what I have to say?” But there is a simple method we can use to get through that fourth wall.
The song continues:
Now I imagine you on the other side of the radio
Doing your homework
You’re driving with the windows down on the freeway
When I get the chance to do the morning announcements before a Sunday service, I can’t help but think of the people on the other side of the screen. Who am I talking to? What’s on their hearts today? I don’t pretend to have it all together, nor am I different just because I get to be on the screen, but I do have a responsibility to facilitate the experience of the congregation that Bridgeway has trusted me with and that God has trusted us with. It’s not a responsibility that should be taken lightly. In order to connect with those listening, watching, and reading, we have to break the fourth wall and talk directly to the situation of the person on the other side.
It makes my day to see that smile on your face
And in some small way I remember my place
The artist obviously isn’t seeing the face of the person listening to his song, but picturing the person helps change the way you deliver the art. Wondering what small way I can make an impact on those on the other side of the proverbial radio is really what motivates me!
Being behind the scenes at a church for over nine years has taught me a lot about what it means to be on the other side. In the work we do at the church, our job is to manage the logistics behind the Sunday church experience, but this can look pretty boring during the week to others. There’s nothing flashy about setting up stanchions or cleaning the floors, but all of us are responsible for giving each other our best and helping to facilitate each others’ church experience as brothers and sisters in Christ. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 14:
What then shall we say, brothers and sisters? When you come together, each of you has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
We are all part of working on and building up this church home, not just those of us who spend our weekdays in the building.
When you come to church on Sundays, are you thinking about who is on the other side of your experience? When you walk through the church doors, are you in a mindset of receiving, or are you prepared to serve the others who are there with you?
Maybe you are called to minister to the person volunteering with your children. Consider those volunteers who spent their week teaching kids but are still giving up their Sundays to serve your family. Did you pray for them before dropping off your child?
What about the volunteer in the parking lot crew who arrived at the church before the sun came up who had to break the news to you that there were no spots left? Did you thank them for serving or let a few expletives escape in your frustration?
How often do we give our church body our best even if we feel at our worst? Imagine the joy we might see in our church if we all committed to this way of thinking! Breaking down the fourth wall isn’t just a get-rich-quick tactic to make your art “better,” but we can use this mindset to really connect to the experience of the person on the other side of whatever we’re going through. It’s a mutually beneficial way of thinking that brings everyone together on the same page, especially in our multicultural context. Dr. David Anderson always says that “comprehension begins with conversation.” How can we make sure we’re all having the same conversation, singing the same song?
‘Cause it’s you and me singing the same song right now
And maybe this will bring us together somehow
And maybe someone’s saying a prayer for the first time
And that’s enough reason to keep me singing my songs
Let’s commit together to breaking down the walls between our communications. Commit today to praying for someone you can’t see, walking in someone else’s shoes, and changing somebody’s world from the other side of the radio.
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