Putting God first in your life creates a path. The path can guide you closer or further away from all that is good. The path can lead you through any crisis and out the other side. I believe that.
We were blessed to attend a Casting Crowns concert last night, our second in four months. You might ask why we would go see them a second time when they are on the same “tour” that we saw before. One word: WORSHIP! I am lifted up by the music (who doesn’t love to sing about God, in a real way)? There is something dynamic about being in a room filled with Christ seekers and followers. Let me insert here that I attend church with a room full of seekers and followers. For me, I just want them to let go and worship – hands in the air, praising the One who gives and takes away!
Listening to Mark Hall (Casting Crowns front man) talk about his “real” job as a youth pastor, the joys and concerns that come with that and how all of their songs were once Bible studies is great. But when he talks about his crisis of experiencing cancer and how it made him want to run, hid and take control, only to realize that he could never control the outcome and had to turn right back to his faith, is humbling. Each band member in Casting Crowns is a youth leader. They generally tour Thursday – Saturday because each of them has a youth group to lead in their own church. What a grueling path. What a blessed path.
Unspoken, a group that I’m not that familiar with (think Vanilla Ice) opened. If you don’t know who they are, just check them out online. Thirteen years ago Chad Matson (front man) was battling drug and alcohol addiction. Chad was on THAT path, you know, the one that keeps you clean and sober until AFTER Bible study – when you go and get higher than high. Chad found his path by seeking a relationship with Jesus Christ. He talks a lot about the church – referring to everyone in the room – and how we will find peace by letting go and walking a path to God.
Tell Your Heart to Beat Again. I first heard Danny Gokey sing this song as I was driving home from Nashville. I had spent several hours with my brother, Cyndi and Tom (Jessica’s boyfriend) making funeral arrangements for my niece, Jessica, who died from a brain aneurysm at a young 39 years old. It hit me in so many different ways, among the emotions of that day. Primarily, I wanted to reach out to those who felt Jessica’s loss so deeply and let them know that their hearts would be again….never in the same way but they would beat again. Gokey has had a crazy path from losing a young wife, to American Idol, to deep depression, a new marriage and finally headed up the ladder as a Christian artist.
Life is full of choices. We all make choices each day that affect our paths in much larger ways that just today. Where is your path leading you? For me, I’m just trying to stay on the path that allows me to live the best life I can and do all the good I can as a Christ follower.
#justmythoughts #nanatruth #soblessed
Nana Reflections 