Sunday April 18th, 2010

Set List -

“Do You Feel” – The Rocket Summer

“The Stand” – Hillsong

“Your Love Is Strong” – Jon Foreman

“Your Love Is Everything” – Jesus Culture

In the past we have played two other songs by this band “the Rocket Summer.” I really respect Bryce Avary, the man behind their music. Not only is he an incredible musician, he played every instrument on his albums, he is also not afraid to write about his faith and what he believes. The song we played this week is just another example. It’s even better that I have heard a song off of his newest album on our radio here in CT. If it’s on the radio here then it probably is everywhere considering the lack of good radio stations in this area. I just think it’s nuts that even though he has been shot up to the mainstream of pop rock he isn’t compromising his faith. I like that.

On an unrelated note I have been thinking about the words to the song “Hosanna” by Hillsong United. The beginning of the second verse starts off by saying “I see a generation rising up with selfless faith…” and it is haunting me. What does it mean to have selfless faith. What would it look like if as a generation of young people we were to adopt this as our primary way of life. I think it would be out of control. In the best way.  There would be more giving, more doing and more lives changing for eternity. Especially as a follower of Christ living in this part of the country which is obviously on it’s way to an awakening, things would be huge.

I also thought about what it would look like on a personal level. For me I have always grown up with prayer and knowing what it was. I would pray every night for my family as a child and that  my mom, dad, brother, sister, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and me would be safe and healthy and that was the extent of it. It has become a habit for me in my prayer life to focus more on God giving me health and helping my life to change. This idea of selfless faith is changing my perspective. I believe that in order to pray for something you need to have faith that God will answer the prayer. Obviously. But what if instead of me praying that I would be able to be healthy or have my life changed or anything else about me, I pray for everyone who comes to catalyst and have faith that God will change their hearts and lives. If I use my faith that I have in Jesus knowing that He can do everything He says, and focus on others, things would change drastically. After all that would be a life changing thing for me too so both prayers would be answered.

One more thing that I know will come with selfless faith is giving. I have a hard time giving to what God is doing in this area sometimes because honestly I feel out of control the moment I designate a part of my paycheck. It is super easy to buy into the lie that it would be money better spent if I kept it and focused on getting out of debt first so that I can give later. But thats just an excuse not to do it. If I am making excuses now then of course I am going to make the same ones later on. In order to have selfless faith I believe it is necessary that we give our tithe of 10 percent, but also even beyond that. It would be the ultimate test. Do I have enough faith that God can work bigger and stronger with my little extra than I could? Its a tough question and it will only be answered by what I do.

I am excited to play this song again and I am even more excited to see what happens next. Its coming to a time where huge things are going to start happening and I want to be a part of it. So I will be faithful with the small. I will be a part of a generation who will  rise up with selfless faith.

Be Blessed,
Brendan

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~ by branonplacid on April 19, 2010.