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Article submitted by MT
Emotions have been running high throughout the fan base since David announced that he has elected to serve a full time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I felt much the same as most of you when I heard the news. At first I couldn’t believe my ears. Then, when I realized I wasn’t just hearing things, that he had actually said those words, I kind of went into shock. Then I wanted to use his own lyrics and tell him; “Wait, wait, wait don’t go!” Is that a little crazy? Maybe. But I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one. It has taken me a long time to come to grips with it. But after thinking long and hard about it, I think I have finally made my own peace with it. And I’d like to tell you why.
As much as I will miss David during the two years he will be on his mission, I think it will benefit him in so many ways. I’m happy for him; happy that he’s made this decision because I think it’s what he really, really needed to do.
I love David. He is a unique individual and an enormously talented young man. He is also one of the kindest, most loving, giving individuals I have ever come across. There is an incredible beauty in his spirit that is absolutely undeniable. You can both see it and hear it when he sings. It is his nature to give, to want to do for others, to help heal the hurts, to encourage those who have dreams. And he has already done this for more people than he could possibly ever know. It is ‘who he is’ and I couldn’t be more proud of him if he was my own son.
Now, I am going to venture out into dangerous territory with an opinion that I realize many may disagree with. But I feel a need to say this because it’s part of why I think he needs to do this for himself.
I think there are some things that have held David back in his career. And I think needing to serve a mission was a large part of it. By not going on a mission at an earlier age, in trying to do a mission through music instead, I believe there were certain standards that he felt he needed to meet in his behavior and his music during the last few years. His career was being driven by an idea of how it could be used to help others rather than being focused on success in the music industry. Don’t get me wrong! I’m not saying it’s a bad thing! But it’s my firm belief that David’s focus has been divided, not allowing him to give himself fully to one or the other.
For this reason, I think he needs to go. I think he’s right in doing what his heart has been telling him all along he needed to do, commit himself fully to serving others for a time.
I don’t believe for one minute that David will ever be less caring or loving or kind than he is now. I don’t believe he will ever want to stop supporting various charities, especially those that benefit children, or wanting to accomplish something good with his music. This is something I love about him. But (and this may sound selfish) I am hoping to see one change in David when he returns.
You see, as a fan, I can’t help but hope there is another benefit to it for him. A side effect if you will. My hope is that upon completion of his mission, he will finally allow himself to focus on his career and on his success in the music industry, that he will finally feel that he has served his Heavenly Father well and will now allow himself to have a desire for success without feeling that it’s wrong to want it. Because I don’t think it is. Am I wrong because I want him to want it for himself?
Let me ask a question to all of you reading this. Do you really believe that David will ever have the success that his great talent deserves without truly wanting it? Can ANYONE ever truly be successful without really wanting it?
I don’t think so. And I don’t think he’ll let himself want to do something for himself until he is satisfied that he has done what he can for others first. So I hope we can all let David go and do what he must, do what his heart is telling him to do without worrying about us.
We will miss him more than he could ever know but we’ll be okay. We’ll go on with our lives while keeping him in our hearts and keeping a close eye out for any news of him, waiting as patiently as we can for his return.
May God bless him and keep him safe and healthy while he is away.
Time will pass quickly as we keep David close by revisiting the past through his videos and songs (and maybe even some new songs released while he’s gone) while he moves towards his future. When he’s ready to come home, I’ll be here waiting to see what surprises he has in store for us. I hope you will be, too.
The Voice David Archuleta 