Praise, Worship, and Lots of Fun

For my birthday, this year, Brad and I went to see Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith in concert at the Ryman Auditorium, while they sang to their hometown crowd in Nashville during their United Tour. It was absolutely amazing to see these two Christian artist legends joining forces on the same stage. I've procrastinated posting about the event simply because I really don't have words to describe it appropriately.

So many emotions were rolled up to one evening. Most importantly, it was incredibly, spiritually uplifting to be unashamedly singing praises to my God with so many fellow believers.

There were many moments that brought tears to my eyes. Some simply because the music and the emotions filling the Ryman were so moving and real. A couple moments, however, caused me to cry a mixture of sadness as well as joyful tears. You see, Steven Curtis Chapman has a remarkable story of tragedy within his family about the death of his little daughter, and a song that he wrote about loving and letting go of his little girl before the accident ever occurred. To hear him talk about the loss was difficult enough, but to listen to him sing that sweet song not even a year after her death was heartbreaking.

However, the tears turned to symbols of sympathetic joy as he continually gave God the glory for all good things and explained that he has faith that our Lord is the Master Creator who is creating a magnificent piece of artwork throughout our lives. Oftentimes, we are so close that it looks like a jumbled mess, he explained. But, God has such a vantage point that allows him to see the whole work of art - including every story, every tear, every smile, past, present, and future. Where things may not make sense to us at this moment and at this angle, faith in our Father helps us to truly believe that it all works together for the good of His children. What an incredible testament!

Furthermore, the show was simply so much fun! The guys poked fun at each other's "embarrassing" beginnings and sang each other's old, old hits ("Go West Young Man") and old styles (mullets and all). They shared the stage for quite a while, then Steven Curtis Chapman sang by himself. Came back together for a while, before Michael W. Smith took the stage alone. They finished by joining forces and leading a worship set (of songs that we sing every week, but they actually wrote!) that honestly raised the roof.

It was an incredible opportunity, and I feel blessed that I was able to experience the worship as well as witness the love and faith of so many, especially Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith, themselves. (It was also a great opportunity to grow more acquainted with Show Hope, Steven Curtis Chapman's ministry to care for orphans around the world. Check it out.) I was definitely blessed by being there. Thank you, Brad, for a great 25th birthday. Thank you, Lord, for loving me enough to place people and events like these in my path.

Entire Concert Photo Album