One way humans connect is through storytelling, either orally or through the written word. Starting Oct. 19, singer-songwriter and author Matthew West began “using music and melodies as a vehicle for a story” during his “My Story, Your Glory Tour” with Micah Tyler. His last stop is in Birmingham, on Nov. 19.
West’s passion is to share stories from real lives — his own and others. He noticed that stories are especially powerful when paired with music since they “go straight to the heart.” After recognizing how sharing these stories through song helps others, he wanted to do it more.
Then those others who were helped by West began sharing their own stories with him.
Storytelling is such an integral part of West’s ministry that he and his father, retired pastor and now tour pastor Joe West, founded a nonprofit called popwe dedicated to this mission.
This organization is a vehicle by which anyone can share their stories with others, which combats the feeling that their stories are insignificant.
Encouragement
The name comes from the population signs that are seen when driving into a new town. The thought is that if a person’s story is a town, it’s not a population of one. It’s a population of “we” and has an emphasis on community, encouragement and not being alone.
“We hope that people find a sense of purpose by getting plugged into our organization,” West said.
Much of West’s music is based on being honest, authentic and vulnerable and encouraging others to do the same.
“People want to know they’re not the only one who maybe struggles with what they struggle with,” West said. “I think that’s one of the biggest attacks of the enemy — not just to remind you of your mistakes or flaws or failures, but to single you out and make you feel like you’re the only one.
“There’s so much freedom in that message (of Rom. 5:8). God wasn’t waiting for us to become perfect on our own; He wasn’t waiting for us to clean up our acts first. He came all the way to forgive us and love us despite our flaws and imperfections.”
West encourages those who deal with stereotypes and stigmas to not cover up their struggles, but to share them with the hope that someone else can be helped. He compares it to stepping onto a road where the person can’t see what’s ahead.
“You feel like you’re going to fall flat on your face if you speak up or talk about what’s going on. But then, I feel like God has a way of making the road to rise up to meet you when you step out. You can find community and purpose in that.
“One of the hardest things to wrap your head around is how God can possibly work out all things — even the messy, even the broken, even the shameful parts,” West said. “But when we tell our stories, we open ourselves up to witness how that Scripture is true, and we can see God truly at work in all things, not just the good things.”
Award-winning
Twenty-five of West’s songs have gotten to the top of the charts. He has won many music awards for songwriting, including the top award from the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He was nominated Artist of the Year for the 2023 K-Love Fan Awards.
Even with all of these accolades, West’s battle with ego — dying to self — isn’t due to being an award-winning musician and singer-songwriter.
“I’ll be honest. I experience the ego battle more in my home than on stage. You’d think it would be the ego of wanting to be a celebrity or things like that, but it’s more about the ego of when I know I’m wrong and my wife is right, but I’m too proud to apologize. That’s my ego that rears its ugly head,” West said.
Though West’s biggest battle with ego is at home, he still deals with it related to his career. It can be a struggle when he sees empty chairs at a concert or a song doesn’t go No. 1. He works hard to remember he’s not defined by his worst show — that he’s singing to an audience of One.
In fact, it’s the times he didn’t succeed that made him who he is today, knowing that “the falling down is what helps you grow up.”
Even with this knowledge, there are still times that West gets discouraged.
“Not a single one of us will reach that status of perfection in our lives because it’s not possible. When you’re a flawed human being, you’re going to live a flawed existence, which discourages you or makes you lose hope.
“But that’s the message of God’s grace. His love is the only thing perfect. He’s perfect; we are imperfect. When you know that you’re covered by a perfect love, you can deal with your own imperfections with a lot more hope. I’m thankful that even on my darkest days or most discouraging moments, I have a resolve in me that says, ‘Don’t give up. Keep going. Your life matters. Your story matters. And God has a plan.’”
To learn more about Matthew West and popwe, go to matthewwest.com and popwe.org.
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