Jordin Sparks Lets Her Light Shine

 

Jordin Sparks Lets Her Light Shine

By Brad McBrayer

 

            Jordin Sparks has had two major life-altering moments on stage singing before an audience. It is probably not shocking to learn that one of them came when at seventeen she performed in front of millions of viewers on national television and became the Season Six American Idol in the blockbuster FOX-TV singing competition. The other moment that changed her life, however, may come as a surprise to you. It happened a few short years prior to the Anerican Idol performance while she sang in a week-closing show at Kanakuk Kamp, a summer Christian sports camp.

            American Idol launched her singing career and provided her with a new platform in which to share her voice, but the Kanakuk Kamp moment had given her a real purpose in sharing it.

 

A Moment of Decision

 

            Jordin gave her life to Jesus on New Year's Eve at the age of four. A short time later, while in kindergarten, she sang on stage for the first time. Her faith and her object of enthusiasm were established. By the time she reached middle school she knew she wanted to make singing her career.

At the age of twelve she entered and won her first singing competition. It would be the first of many. From talent shows across her home state of Arizona to nationally-sponsored contests, Jordin kept winning and winning. She was a double-award winner at the Gospel Music Association Academy, and she even performed on NBC's America's Most Talented Kids. Within that stream of accolades, Jordin found herself at Kanakuk scheduled to perform at the camp's end-of-week show.

            "God had always been a part of my singing, but I didn't fully realize that I needed to use it for Him," Jordin explains. "I had been singing because I loved the attention. It was fun, and I didn't realize how much of a (selfish) thing that that was. Then one of the counselors came up to me and said ‘If you want to sing tonight, make sure you're doing it for God and not because you want the glory.'"

            Jordin debated with herself throughout the day about whether or not to perform, unsure if her heart was in it for the right reason. When show time arrived, she was feeling convicted and conflicted.

‘"Right before it was about to end, I got up there," Jordin says. "I was going to sing a fast song, and it was going to be really exciting; but I got up there, and I completely changed my mind. I sang a song called ‘Finally Home' by Natalie Grant. I sang the entire thing a cappella, and that was the first time I had really felt the Holy Spirit come over me, and I realized that I had to sing for God. It wasn't all about me, and He was the reason I had the voice that I have."

Her new purpose had been revealed. She was to glorify God with her voice.

 

This Idol Worships

 

            With God's blessings fully falling upon her, her list of awards grew longer. Her successes were verified as she found herself advancing stage by stage through the 2007 season of American Idol.

            Jordin had auditioned for the show as soon as she had reached the eligible age limit. She blew the judges away! From Hollywood week through the live performance shows, Jordin consistently hit the mark. Running the gauntlet and outlasting the other great singers became more and more attainable as the weeks passed. Her voice full of confidence, she landed in the Top Two for the final showdown.

            Singing the winning song from that season, "This Is My Now", Jordin Sparks sparkled. As she belted the lyrics, "I have the courage like never before; I've settled for less, now I'm ready for more," she could have been conveying how far God had brought her since that moment at Kanakuk Kamp.

            Jordin remembers her feelings after the final audition this way, "I knew what was kind of at stake, and I wanted it really badly, but after I performed I was actually okay with it going either way-either me winning or Blake (Lewis) winning. I prayed, and I was at peace with everything."

More than 74 million calls came in to vote on the outcome. In the final results show, host Ryan Seacrest held the suspense for as long as he could before revealing that the majority had chosen Jordin as the winner. She was, and remains, the youngest winner of American Idol.

As she sang the show into its seasonal hiatus with an emotionally-charged encore of "This Is My Now," confetti streamed from the rafters of the Kodak Theater and covered the stage. It may well have been a physical representation of the Holy Spirit coming over her once again.

Thankfully, God had provided her with the peace she requested because the mayhem soon followed as she entered a whirlwind of interviews, appearances and performances. With her win came a recording contract with 19 Entertainment/Jive Records and an established fan base. At just seventeen, the platform for her purpose was now apparent. Her stage for Him had been provided.

 

Virtue Over Vice

 

            Jordin is now touring Europe to promote her self-titled debut album, which features her first two radio singles, "No Air (featuring Chris Brown)" and "Tattoo." Both songs soared up the American charts and were certified Platinum for reaching more than a million in sales. "No Air" reached number two on the "Hot 100 Chart," and her album peaked at the tenth spot earlier in the summer.

            What's surprising is that in an industry that Jordin calls "not the most clean world to be in", her music is just that. It's clean. (It should be noted that Jordin follows her description of the recording business with "but I'm in the world, not of it"). Where most young artists are already singing about physical feelings and swinging single lifestyles, Jordin's songs are almost entirely about pure and innocent love relationships.

            "I haven't really been in a romantic relationship," Jordin explains. "I can't sing about sex. I'm not comfortable singing about that, and I don't know about it, so I sing about love. I know my family loves me, and I know my friends love me, and I kind of took the emotions of seeing my friends go through heartbreak or how I imagined I would feel if I went through those kinds of things, and that's what I sing about (on this album)."

            Her choice in song topics is a clear reflection of her moral standing. She is unashamed of the fact that she has worn a "purity ring" since she was thirteen, and she has been regularly involved with a handful of faith-based organizations. At nineteen, she is already proving to be a valid role model for the next generation.

            A permanent reminder of this newfound responsibility is always nearby. To celebrate her eighteenth birthday, which coincided with her song "Tattoo" reaching a sales milestone, Jordin and her mother and grandmother all got one. A tattoo that is. Inspired by Isaiah 49:15b-16a (NAS) which says, "I will not forget you. Behold, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands," they each had a Bible verse "inscribed" on their left wrist. Jordin chose I Timothy 4:12 (NIV). It reads, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith, and in purity."

            "My faith is a big part (of my career)," Jordin says, "because I have to watch what I'm doing. I have to watch what I say, watch what I wear, watch what I sing about and watch the people I associate with. There are so many things that come into play when I think about my faith, and I think about this industry and how we can work together."

This is in stark contrast to many of today's teen screen queens and pop princesses who regularly find themselves on the front pages of gossip tabloids. Many of those same young ladies started their careers with a fresh innocence and hopeful promises, only to see their lives twisted up and troubled as if a cyclone had run through them. The opportunity to be a positive role model has not escaped Jordin, but she knows, too, that God's guidance is essential.

"I remember just a couple of years ago, as a teenager, looking around and wondering what was going on in the world. I was like, ‘What? This is what we have to look up to?' I don't know (these girls), so who am I to judge, but from the outside looking in it was hard. So I am so excited that I have the kind of platform that I have to be an example to young girls. I want to be a good role model for people to look up to... I'm working on it, but pray for me to have strength. That would be really awesome!"

Her outlook would make any parent proud, and Jordin's mom and dad, Jodi and Phillippi, are no different. You can almost feel Phillippi's pride jumping off the screen from his e-mail: "You have no idea how proud I am of both of my kids," he says as he includes Jordin's brother PJ in his thoughts. "They are both very grounded in their faith. Of course, they will have to learn on their own, and they will make mistakes, but at the end of the day, they know who they belong to. Jordin is setting a great example for kids (and adults) out there and isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in. Sometimes I tell myself, ‘I want to be like her when I grow up!'"

 

The Spotlight Shines

 

            So how does the young lady who is pursuing a career in which she is often idolized stay grounded in her faith while traveling from city to city?

            She answers this way: "The coolest thing is that my dad got me this Bible from the Pro Athletes Outreach." (Her father played in the NFL with the Giants and Cowboys.) "It's this really conveniently sized Bible that I can carry with me anywhere, and I read Proverbs every day. Sometimes it applies immediately, and sometimes it applies a little bit later; but it's really good."

She supplements this with daily devotional e-mails from her home church and frequent text messages of prayer support from her pastor. Rooted in the Word, Jordin is free to share her gift with the world, and God is exalted when she does.

            Her dad recognizes the gift that Jordin has been given, and he believes using that gift to glorify God is expected. Phillippi says, "All of us have to answer someday as to what we did with our gifts that we have been given down here on earth. I believe everyone is blessed with something, and it's up to them to do something with it!"

            Jordin is certainly doing something with her gift. Singing every Sunday in the High School Worship Group has given way to a career that is taking off. She has toured with Michael W. Smith and Alicia Keys; she has performed for Alice Cooper and Diana Ross; she has entertained at showcases for the NBA and the NFL; and she has been nominated for Teen Choice Awards and an NAACP Image Award. Her voice is no longer only on display through song. Now she is using it to encourage others and prove that purpose can be achieved.

            Jordin says, "You can show your faith and what you believe in by just encouraging somebody. You can be a light that people wonder about, and then you can talk about your faith. It's really cool for me to be able to do these different things and still be doing what I love... and be in the secular world, but at the same time people kind of look at me and go ‘what's different?' And it's cool to be able to talk about my faith. So I would just say ‘Let your light shine. Don't let anybody put it out.'"

            There is great purpose behind that statement. When Jordin Sparks uses her platform, her light shines, and God receives the spotlight.

 

Sidebar items:

In August, Jordin will be co-headlining a 17-city, small theater tour with Jesse McCartney. Then in September and October, Jordin will tour Asia and Australia to continue promotion of her album.