Feeling the Push and Pull
Colton Dixon on Balancing Career and Family
Meet Colton Dixon, a talented Christian musician who captured America’s heart during the eleventh season of “American Idol.” Known for his powerful voice and deep faith, Colton has since become a prominent figure in Christian music. Colton talked with us about the challenges of balancing his career, faith, and family life.
Colton shared the challenge of balancing his career demands with family life, particularly the difficulty of being away from home due to work commitments. He explains that while it’s tempting to say yes to every opportunity, he and his wife are committed to prioritizing what’s best for their family.
Faith is the cornerstone of their parenting approach. They rely on the Holy Spirit to help them navigate the complexities of raising their children. He shared, “We have the ultimate helper at our disposal, which is the Holy Spirit. Jesus actually said it’s better if He left because the Holy Spirit could come. So we have that as a tool, to not only navigate our own lives but also to depend on parenting.”
As an artist with a demanding schedule, Colton often faces the difficult decision of being away from his family for work commitments. He candidly admitted, “The hardest thing for me is probably going to look different to other people, but it’s leaving, balancing being gone and being home. When I say, ‘yes’ to a show or whatever, I’m saying no to other things.” Perhaps you can relate to the constant tug-of-war between professional obligations and family time.
Initially, Colton and his wife were eager to embrace every opportunity that came their way. The arrival of their children brought a shift in priorities. “It may be a great opportunity, but we don’t want to take a good scenario in place of the best scenario for us in our family,” Colton explained. Now they carefully consider each opportunity, ensuring it aligns with their family’s best interests.
Even noble pursuits like ministry should not overshadow the importance of family.
The Role of Ministry in Family Life
For Colton, the temptation to prioritize ministry work over family is a constant battle. He reflected, “It’s really easy to put ministry above family… your relationship with God comes first, but family comes second. And then it’s ministry third. And it’s easy to get those mismatched.”
Colton Dixon’s insights on balancing faith, family, and career offer valuable lessons for anyone striving to navigate these aspects of life. As you reflect on your own life, consider how you can apply these principles to achieve a more balanced and fulfilling journey.
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