It is Sunday in the early morning already. Time sure flies! Busy-busy-buys mostly. But Friday was good, because my brother and I went to that rock concert by Papa Roach. I’m still a bit in the afterglow of that to be honest. It was so awesome 😀
Last night I was trying to clear my head, searching the world wide web for Christian music and stuff. Basically anything really to help me prep myself mentally for the Sunday service to come.
Every first Sunday of the month, my small Indonesian church in Amsterdam celebrates Holy Communion and it is my task to be worship leader again. It’s been quite a few weeks since I’ve took up that role.
During my search on the interwebs, I stumbled upon a testimony from Papa Roach’s lead-singer Jacoby Shaddix. During the concert on Friday, I noticed how positive spirited he was. As a matter of fact, I had noticed a slight change in the tone of their music in the last few albums. They sounded more like religious struggles to me. Struggles I can actually relate to. I wondered whether maybe, just maybe, it was because Jacoby found God?
It’s not like it hasn’t happened before that a rockstar accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and savior. Korn guitarist Brian “Head” Welch found Jesus in 2005 and quit the band after that. Shaddix continued with Papa Roach and I wouldn’t really compare a Papa Roach concert with a Hillsong United Worship session. But so what?
Honestly, I cannot speak for others and I don’t know about other Christians out there; but life is quite a challenge. Because I’m a worship leader, a lot of church people expect me to be pure and spotless like Mother Mary or an angel or whatever. Newsflash: Not all Christians are like Ned Flanders, I surely am not anyway! Maybe there are Christian folks out there who never slip up.
One can have Jesus in their heart and be all in the Spirit for days, weeks, months… Some could appear the perfect Christian for decades and decades. Then next thing you know; call it the Devil or weakness of the flesh sneaks up from around the corner.
“How could that pastor do this? How could that worship leader do that? How could that Christian brother or sister do so and so?
Everyone slips every now and then. In attempt to try and make us believe that Christ’s love and sacrifice isn’t enough and that God is an angry and unforgiving God. And that is a lie; As long as God gives another tomorrow, He gives us another chance. It is by His grace that we may live and try again.
You know what? Even Ned Flanders had moment in the Simpsons show where not everything turned out to be “Okilly-dokilly” and almost lost faith. Maybe, in the end, all Christians are a bit like Ned Flanders. Nobody’s perfect, that’s for sure.
And then, I stumbled upon a YouTube clip of Shaddix performing a cover of David Crowder Band’s “How He Loves” in a church. It turns out the leadsinger of Papa Roach had indeed accepted Christ. And I’ve also found his complete testimony here. What a powerful story! May it inspire others who are facing struggles in their lives as well. Both YouTube clips can be found below.
Wow, would you like at the time! I should really be going. Allow me to just do a quick thank-you to whoever is lurking and evens decided to follow this blog with ramblings. Much appreciated! Have a happy Sunday now, ok?
The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord shine His face upon you. May He be gracious unto you. May the Lord look upon you and give you peace.
[insertniftyphrase] 