This entry is going to be a bit different from my last few blogs, but I think it is important.
Music is powerful; that is something I think we all can agree on. It can cheer us up after a hard day or a loss of a relationship or even a loved one or family pet. It can push us forward during a rigorous work out or during a long day of work. Music in regards to worship on Sundays leads us to be more receptive to what God wants to say or it just helps us to praise God and thank him for all he has done. Worship can tear down strongholds; when we go through hard times, it can get us through, it can clear our minds and helps us to set our eyes on God and trust him more.
In the bible, David often played music for King Saul to calm him as he was often tormented by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14-23).
In Ephesians 5:19-20 "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Music can calm our spirits, be a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare and can lift and encourage us and others around us. Cool stuff!
I want to talk about the music I love and that has become a big part of my life and has helped lift me out of some dark places and times in my life. Such music is Hard Rock/Heavy Metal.
Now, that genre has a bad rap for being associated with drugs, sex, and alcohol. And yes, I did say sex. It is true. Yes, there has been and is a lot of that associated with that genre, but you can find that in country music too, as well as other kinds. But that is getting off topic. I want to share my experiences and enjoyment from this genre of hard rock and heavy metal.
I quickly want to address a few bible verses to talk about because we do have freedom to choose and freedom to listen to whoever we want. We do need to be careful what we take in, it can cause us to stumble. There are bands we as Christians need to be wary of, there are some dark stuff out there.
Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is---his good, pleasing and perfect will."
1 Corinthians 6:12 "Everything is permissible for me"---but not everything is beneficial." Everything is permissible for me"---but I will not be mastered by anything."
We have freedom, but we have to be careful that those freedoms do not take a hold of us and cause us problems. We should seek to stand out.
1 Corinthians 8:9 "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak."
If we are not careful, we can cause others around us to stumble. I mostly listen to christian rock and heavy metal, but I occasionally listen to secular stuff too. There are some whom that kind of music bothers or even causes to stumble in some way. They maybe have had some hard experiences with that in the past. So we should be mindful and not listen to that when they are around. Just things like that. Not all Christians are going to agree on everything or have the same freedoms and convictions which is ok, we are to bear with each other in love.
I just wanted to hit those points briefly before digging into what I am wanting to share.
Back in the early 2000's I went to a Christian Rock Concert with my youth group, at that time, I had no interest in that music at all, even after the concert, I mostly had no interest at all. It would not be until when I got into college, my music tastes changed. At this concert there was this one band called Skillet, early Skillet. Their latest album at the time was "Alien Youth" Don't get me wrong, they were pretty good, and I enjoyed them, but Rock as a whole did not connect for me just yet. I had no idea at that time I would one day become a huge Panhead (as what Skillet fans are called.) I was there with some friends. There was one band there they really got into, and I did too and this band was the Newsboys. So that is where I started.
Over that time between then and college, I mostly just listened to Newsboys but got into other bands too. I really got into contemporary artists; such as Jeremy Camp, Kutless, Nicole Nordeman, Rebecca St. James, among some others. So, that was neat season for me in my taste of music.
In the fall of 2008, my interest in hard rock and heavy metal would take form. The band, Skillet came to my local state fair and preformed. I went with my sister and her friend. O man, it was awesome! From there I really got into their music, but I will get into more of Skillet later in the post.
From there on, I was into Skillet and of course listen to other stuff too. I did get into one particular secular band as well.
One band I got into, would really shape me and my walk in the Lord. This band shaped me just as much as Skillet's music has. The band is called Fireflight. Now, Fireflight, they have had some great success but are a lesser known band. They are awesome though! They have such a heart for God and for people. The one concert I went to, it was awesome. I bought a meet and greet and so met them and a few other bands there and got an autograph and my picture taken with them and a exclusive shirt from that tour. The concert came and went and it was so awesome. The amazing thing, all the bands stayed afterwards and hung out with the fans. It was so cool! Fireflight could have left but they stayed and spent time with their fans. Fireflight's lead singer was even nice enough to take a photo with me and we hung out a few minutes. Like, they were so genuine.
Another cool story I have of Fireflight, it happened two years ago. One day, I bought some merchandise from them online. The merchandise came on Valentine's Day which was well timed. God knew I needed this on this day as I was feeling really down about not having a significant other to share the day with. Well, I got my items and went to throw away the box when I noticed a posted note inside. I pulled it out and it was a hand written note from them that really blessed me beyond belief.
Here is the note:
Psalm 139:14 "I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well."
That was pretty awesome! I believe God reminded me in a pretty powerful way, through a band I really looked up to and whom has influenced my walk and have encouraged me, that I am loved. So cool!
So, it's been cool!
Now onto to Skillet. After that concert in the fall of 2008, I became a huge fan. I have seen them in concert 9 times now. I have many shirts, CD's and other cool accessories. I have seen them with other Christian bands and I have seen them with secular bands. For me, I believe it is especially important to show up at secular shows as a Christian to show that people like that kind of music and I believe it is important to be a light in the darkness, to be there to represent Christ.
Matthew 5:14-16 "You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."
So many concerts, each time, Skillet has proclaimed the gospel, their faith to believers and non believers. Their music has reached so many people outside of the church. It's amazing! My walk with God and boldness for him has grown through the influence from Skillet. Recently, my sister and I saw them in concert and got to attend a question and answer session. I honestly wasn't expecting much from it but God really humbled me in that. Many of their songs are about depression and suicide. I have battled with depression myself and it is brutal. Skillet's music has helped me through my own battles. There were many questions on that and the lead singer shared and even talked about his very difficult relationship with his father. It was humbling. You look around and could see many people struggling and searching for anything to grasp onto. Any kind of hope. And you could see Skillet's heart for people and it was humbling. Skillet is so needed to reach these people and those around them. We need more Christians sharing the reason for their hope with those around them, Christians need to be willing to walk into the dark places to shine a light. That is why I love Skillet so much! They are walking out their faith and it is inspiring.
During that concert my sister and I went to, the venue was basically a night club almost. Quite a bit of drinking going on, but Skillet stayed true to form and proclaimed God. They dropped a worship time that night by singing "Be Thou My Vision" and one worship song they wrote called, "Stars". Many hands went up in response and they worshiped along with Skillet. It was awesome! So humbling too. We need that. We need worship in the dark places. Worship leaders should be seeking to take their music beyond the church building.
I have been blessed beyond measure by Skillet and other bands like them. I have such great memories of concerts. There was one I went to that I ended up really close to the stage and at the end of Skillet's performance, I got a drumstick from their drummer. So cool! I have so many neat stories and moments from their concerts.
I would encourage anyone reading this to give them a listen. To my christian friends, give them a chance. I know of many people who think their music is of the devil. That is so not true. Give them a try. Or try Fireflight. I recommend them anyway.
I could go on about my journey of listening to hard rock and heavy metal primarily from Christian bands. Lacey Sturm (former lead singer of Flyleaf), Zahna, Bayless, The Letter Black. Lecrae (more so a rapper but still, great music), I could go on.
I hope you are encouraged by this and maybe even discover some new music. If not, cool. If this is not your kind of music, cool. We have different interests and different convictions. We just have to seek God and ask him to help us not to conform to the world but to transform it.
Be encouraged!
