As someone who has only recently really began to dig in and appreciate the music of U2 I find this all a bit odd really. It is clear to me that the songs they sing are overtly Christian, they are about God and the church but yet they get as much airplay as any other song and are arguably, after last nights result, more popular than most. And all this in a society where other Christian bands such as Delirious are actually actively banned from radio airplay.
So what is going on here? Is it just that U2’s music is so good? (I know some on this blog would agree with that 
) I am not sure that it is - when compared with Delirious I actually think that they are quite similar. So it leaves me down to the common denominator of the whole situation: God.
In a world where it’s what you can get out of life, it’s what you can accomplish it can put us under a lot of pressure to perform. I think as Christians we have to remember that it is God who put the stars in the sky, who created us and gives us life each and every day. In whatever we do in life, if God chooses for us to become world famous through doing it, great - take that job responsibly. If God chooses for no one to ever notice what you do, great - and take that job responsibly as well. If we spend our lives chasing after fame purely for the sake of being famous then we have our eyes on the wrong things - and it may be tricky for God to open our eyes up to what His plan is for our lives.
So why does God choose U2 rather than an artist like Delirious? The Lord knows I am sure - but that is not for me to question. I think I can look up to both artists and see God working in ways which I desire for my own life too - but I believe God wants us to be people who are content with all that God gives - and He gives us so, so much every day.
So huge congratulations to U2 on their award success, and huge congratulations to Delirious for getting nothing. I pray that both keep striving after what God wants for them, not looking at what the world says they should be looking for.
5:56 pm
Interesting. Both bands are indeed amazing. The latest albums from both are stunning.
Wanted to throw in something to ponder though. I sometimes find myself thinking, how much is God and how much is life? I know God is in control of everything and he provides for us. But I think sometimes the ups and downs are just Life and Jesus is there helping us get through it.
No doubt U2’s success has been due to their trust in God and the way they use the gifts He has given them to produce amazing songs. But are Delirious not as successful because God has not chosen them for that success. I’m sure it must come into it but also I think Life plays its part. In a book I read about U2, Walk On, it was commenting on the very situation of U2’s success compared to that of Delirious and other such bands. Today there is such a sub-culture of Christian music that Delirious just feel into the Christian genre. At the time U2 were starting out there was a lot of openness in Dublin and they were treated just as a rock band not a Christian group.
Just suggesting that maybe it’s not a case of God choosing how successful either band are but things just working out that way and God leading both groups though the situations life throws at them?