So, while our reasons will vary vastly from artist to artist, there is no doubt that there is a fundamental calling we all have as believers that is a part of it- and that is to be obedient and to worship. The hard truth is there is a lot of noise that reiterates the prevalent lie we tell ourselves - that being an artist in the Kingdom of God is not enough. We feel the need to justify our existence by how successful we are. Enter my story.
When I read the first few chapters of the Bible, I hear God telling me to speak into the void, “Let there be light”. I find it strange how the first few chapters of the Bible are brought up in discussions pertaining to scientific discoveries. I get the sense that those chapters were not written to debunk evolution, but to give us an important insight of who God is, and therefore, who we are as image bearers.
Seven years ago, I watched the sunrise from a mountain top in Italy. God had led me there to teach me a very personal and valuable lesson. When I came down, I had a bold calling, and a firm understanding that God would provide for me if I seek first His kingdom instead of pursuing my own. I knew that in this life, the part I had to play was that of the story-teller for Him.
During my travels at this time, I found my heart full of wonder as I heard countless stories of His goodness and providence. The natural by-product of that wonder was music, and though my craft never reached the ears of many, I found that the intimate few who shared in my music walked away with a little bit more wonder. It wasn’t the potency of my music that left people with wonder - it was the stories. I was merely a frame, outlining and drawing attention to the beauty of God’s work.
I remember one of my first such stories came from making a trip to Japan, post Tsunami, and having a conversation with an elderly woman who had lost her home. She recounted her experience of how she survived the Tsunami. When the churning waters breached the impenetrable walls, she climbed a mountain and clung to the idol resting at the top. She believed it was that idol that saved her.
I wrote the song Higher Grounds in response to that conversation - sort of as an ode to the staunch and rigidity of Japanese tradition. I sang about how their walls were not sufficient against the force of God’s relentless pursuit, and that the only respite to be found were the higher grounds of God’s grace. I sang the song once at a concert, and after my performance, a Japanese woman came to me crying. It was a confirmation that there is power in story and art.
Sparrow Projects, our latest initiative, has story-telling and its wonder inducing effects at its heart. It took on new life as my friend and videographer, Niko, caught the vision and used his medium to do likewise. Niko and I have traveled to Egypt and Greece to find stories that inspire wonder, and we are excited to share them back with you this coming Black Friday.
Follow our stories HERE
Run Into the Dark was written in response to a Moody Missions conference about human trafficking we attended a few years ago. The issue has always been heavy on our hearts and we knew we needed to share this with others because, well, there is nothing more heinous and invasive than the trafficking of humans. It makes God weep.
In reflection, we realized that the objectification and degradation of a human life to such an extent can only be done by the most damaged of people. How this happens, we don't know. This is why Run into the Dark, while written to and about victims, also extends itself to the traffickers. At one point every trafficker was a child, probably abused and marginalized.
I want to be cautious about not minimizing the weight of the crime. But it is important to remember that Christ’s death and resurrection, and his ultimate sacrifice are not only for those we deem innocent, but to the lowest and the most damned of our society. We wanted those who have been trafficked and who have trafficked to understand that this is offered to them despite whatever guilt they may feel. And so to all in darkness, the women and children who have no way out, our ultimate hope is that you find your salvation in the One who finds you where you are.
The question at hand is - what will you do? What can you do?
After releasing this video, we asked ourselves what we can really practically do besides creating art. On a trip to Atlanta, GA, we were surprised that God answered us a couple days later by putting us in contact with people who were involved in ministries to fight human trafficking. Now we have our own little part to play and will continue to look for more.
For the church, we wrote this song centered around the term, "Run Into the Dark". We were once the ones in the darkest of places when saved by God's grace. Our calling and mission involves us running back into the dark with the flaming torch of salvation in our hands.
Lyrics:
“If you should feel that darkness is your friend Only because you’ve never seen the light
If you should steal quietly away
And chose to keep your scars out of sight
When Evil men
Demons in the night
come to you with sweet and heartless words But rest assured we are on the march
into the dark
Don't feel alone
God longs to be with you Sing to the night
For the love
that finds you where you are
If tears should find
Their way out of your skin through anywhere else but your eyes
If teeth should grind
Against the carnal pain and shame that haunts you through the nights
If you should kill
your spirit day by day letting your dreams and visions bleed you dry But stand assured
We are on the run into the dark
Take the step towards the child who's living through perpetual hell
and take the stand against the profane of women chained to beds of pain
Take a leap of faith into
the hearts of dreamers cut in two
Take away our apathy
and push our pride into the sea
Run into the dark”
