Can you be a positive skeptic? I hope so, because that is exactly where I find myself when it comes to artificial intelligence. While I recognize the benefits AI offers in many areas, I am not blind to its potential downsides. Questions surrounding creativity, intellectual property, authenticity, and human connection continue to give me pause.
In fact, one morning while listening to our campus Christian radio station, I heard Jamie discussing AI-created music. My immediate reaction was, Whatever. It can’t be that good. And yet, here I am, about to share how an AI-generated song deeply impacted me.
Lately, I have found myself in a season where I can honestly pray, “Lord, I’m Tired.” Not in a destructive or hopeless sense, but from the weariness that often accompanies fruitful work and faithful living. I am tired from trying to discern which opportunities before me are merely Good and which are truly God‘s best. I am tired from walking through challenging seasons that have stretched my faith, perspective, and endurance.
At the same time, God continues to remind me that perhaps I was Made for More. Until I take my last breath, He still has work for me to do. He still holds His promise to give me “hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). My desire is not simply to stay busy, but to be intentional with the God-Given Space I have been entrusted with and faithful to see His work through to the end.
In previous posts such as Lasting Lyrics, Come Jesus Come, and Words Matter, I have written about the life-giving power of words and music. Thoughtfully crafted lyrics have a unique ability to nourish the soul, encourage the heart, and remind us of truths we sometimes struggle to remember on our own. Recently, a streaming service played a song that its algorithm apparently believed I would enjoy. To my surprise, it was correct.
The lyrics spoke directly to my heart. They captured the tension of feeling exhausted yet hopeful, weak yet believing, burdened yet determined to keep moving forward. They described the very struggle many of us experience when life feels heavy and faith requires a Habit of Resilience.
It certainly didn’t hurt that the vocalist sounded remarkably similar to one of my favorite artists, Lauren Daigle. There have been many times when her music seemed to give voice to thoughts and emotions that I struggled to express myself. However, after listening more closely, I discovered that the song was AI-generated. That realization left me conflicted.
Part of me immediately returned to the concerns I have about AI. How does this affect artistic integrity? What are the implications for intellectual property rights? What happens when technology can imitate the voices and styles of gifted artists so convincingly? These questions matter, and I do not have all the answers. Yet despite my reservations, I cannot deny that the song ministered to me during this specific season.
Its message echoed a truth I desperately needed to hear: God does not abandon us when we are weary. He does not walk away when our faith feels thin. He does not lose patience when our prayers become quiet or when our strength begins to fail. Instead, He remains present, sustaining us even when we can only take one step at a time.
You will never hear me deny that life is hard. In fact, I tell my students that very thing all the time. Hardship, disappointment, and struggle are part of living in a fallen world. But as a follower of Christ, I also believe that hope is real because Christ is real.
Perhaps that is why this experience challenged me so much. While I remain skeptical about many aspects of artificial intelligence, I am reminded that God can use unexpected things to speak truth into our lives. Even through a song created in a way I am still trying to understand, I found myself encouraged to keep trusting the One who never gives up on His children. So yes, maybe I am a positive skeptic. And for now, I’m okay with that.
Reference:
Velorion Sound. (2026). Lord I’m Tired But Don’t Give Up on Me—Chris Stapleton ft. Lauren Daigle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H7R_lfiHtEc&list=RDH7R_lfiHtEc&start_radio=1
