Singer Granger Smith posted a message to his fans after he performed his final show before shifting to pursue ministry.
On Wednesday, Smith, 43, posted a “keepsake” photo he took Saturday to his Instagram page while performing at his last show.
“It’s been such a privilege to claim that job title for so many years!” he said of his career as a “touring musician.”
Smith also clarified he wasn’t going into retirement and or this meant he would be “quitting work altogether.”
“It’s also not because I’m burned out or unwell or sick or heartbroken or grieving. I am more at peace and more free than any other time of my life. It’s not for any of those reasons,” he added.
He posted the scripture Matthew 13:44 explaining his reasoning for leaving his music career behind.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field,” the scripture reads.
Smith further explained, “Knowing Jesus and telling others about Him is the treasure of my life.”
“And I want you to know this, so you can have Him as your treasure too. I want my family to experience it and my kids to know this joy,” he continued.
Smith stated he didn’t “want a career based upon building a name” for himself “to get in the way of that” regardless of “what kind of popularity or career” he’s gained.
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“I don’t want the Granger Smith name to be famous, instead I want to proclaim the name of Christ! The one that has washed me clean, the one that has freed me from my shame and my guilt,” he wrote.
Smith shared he wants Jesus Christ, who gave him a new heart, to be known and he wants to “know Him more.”
He continued:
“That is the real reason I’m leaving music touring. From now on when you hear the name Granger Smith, my goal is NOT for you to say: ‘He was a great singer.’ Or ‘a great speaker’ or ‘author’ or not even what a ‘great loss he suffered.'”
Instead, he shared he wants others to think “What a great Savior we have in Jesus” when they hear his name.
“I hope to see y’all soon on a new kind of stage,” Smith concluded.
On April 11, Smith posted a video on his Instagram page announcing he would be performing his final tour this summer to pursue ministry at his local church with his family.