'The Troubles Are Over' at the Odyssey
Hey all
So...I'm just back home today after we played a couple of dates with Chris Tomlin: one in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast and one in Stoke, England.
In the Odyssey, we introduced a new song called 'The Troubles Are Over' which addresses how God has moved in response to prayer for peace in our land (Northern Ireland). (For those of you who don't know, the conflict in Northern Ireland has been known locally as 'The Troubles' for about 40 years.) We have felt for a while that we wanted to write more songs that address the situation in our own locality rather than concentrating on writing songs for the global church.
God has moved in an astounding way in our land in my lifetime. I grew up in The Troubles and can distinctly remember the day the IRA called a ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement was signed (which was a govermental document outlining a road to increased negiotations and stability).
Recently we have witnessed great strides forward at a political level and a greater level of political leadership and courage that we've seen for decades. Politics in our country is always unpredictable however, finally it feels like we are entering a different era....and I hope it lasts. Could it be true that The Troubles are finally over?
I know that everything isn't perfect here (which country is?) and that there is still pain and heartache experienced by many however we wanted to write a song that began to express some of our gratitude for what God has already done. It's like the Kingdom of God is already here and...it is still to come. Translating that concept to our country means that peace and healing is already here and it is still yet to come...The Trouble are over and they are still to finish completely.
I firmly believe that the songs written for the church should attempt to address the issues that nations face and not just solely concentrate on all the 'good stuff' of God. So, we have introduced this song in our worship times. In fact, we've sung it already in times of worship at a number of big events in Ireland. It's been interesting to witness peoples responses. Many people have been stimulated and challenged by the song - some have been deeply moved. Others have found it difficult to sing...maybe because there are still some sensitivities about talking about The Troubles in a conversation, let alone mentioning it in a large public worship gathering. Or, maybe for some people it is also about a fear and resistance to move on. It sometimes feels easier to remain silent and not mention or acknowledge what we have experienced here.
Maybe, for some of us, it is time that we become more confident in breaking this silence and lifting our voices. Bearing in mind that for years we have prayed for peace, I think, that as the body of Christ we need to publically express our thanks to God for all He has done in our great land.
What do you say?
Peace,
Johnny
So...I'm just back home today after we played a couple of dates with Chris Tomlin: one in the Odyssey Arena, Belfast and one in Stoke, England.
In the Odyssey, we introduced a new song called 'The Troubles Are Over' which addresses how God has moved in response to prayer for peace in our land (Northern Ireland). (For those of you who don't know, the conflict in Northern Ireland has been known locally as 'The Troubles' for about 40 years.) We have felt for a while that we wanted to write more songs that address the situation in our own locality rather than concentrating on writing songs for the global church.
God has moved in an astounding way in our land in my lifetime. I grew up in The Troubles and can distinctly remember the day the IRA called a ceasefire and the Good Friday Agreement was signed (which was a govermental document outlining a road to increased negiotations and stability).
Recently we have witnessed great strides forward at a political level and a greater level of political leadership and courage that we've seen for decades. Politics in our country is always unpredictable however, finally it feels like we are entering a different era....and I hope it lasts. Could it be true that The Troubles are finally over?
I know that everything isn't perfect here (which country is?) and that there is still pain and heartache experienced by many however we wanted to write a song that began to express some of our gratitude for what God has already done. It's like the Kingdom of God is already here and...it is still to come. Translating that concept to our country means that peace and healing is already here and it is still yet to come...The Trouble are over and they are still to finish completely.
I firmly believe that the songs written for the church should attempt to address the issues that nations face and not just solely concentrate on all the 'good stuff' of God. So, we have introduced this song in our worship times. In fact, we've sung it already in times of worship at a number of big events in Ireland. It's been interesting to witness peoples responses. Many people have been stimulated and challenged by the song - some have been deeply moved. Others have found it difficult to sing...maybe because there are still some sensitivities about talking about The Troubles in a conversation, let alone mentioning it in a large public worship gathering. Or, maybe for some people it is also about a fear and resistance to move on. It sometimes feels easier to remain silent and not mention or acknowledge what we have experienced here.
Maybe, for some of us, it is time that we become more confident in breaking this silence and lifting our voices. Bearing in mind that for years we have prayed for peace, I think, that as the body of Christ we need to publically express our thanks to God for all He has done in our great land.
What do you say?
Peace,
Johnny
posted by Johnny Parks at 3:38:00 p.m.
7 Comments:
This is interesting. I was at summer madness when this song was played aa few times, and i appreciated having it as a medium to worship god. Having lived through the troubles, it is important to be reminded of what God has done in our land in recent years.
It also gives younger people an insight to our troubled history, espeically if tey didnt grow up with it. A knowledge of the work god has done with the politicans and people of this country can only lead us further into worship.
Interesting comments.
I think that the "best" kind of worship songs are those that are focused on God - his character, his works, his nature.
These are the kind of songs that lift me beyond myself and help me to focus again on the King of Kings. - Is that not what worship is about?
I do think that the church needs to have songs about stuff like the troubles but probably not appropriate for corporate worship in my opinion.
Peace
Pete
Of course Peter, but i think God has worked pwoerfully in this land. it inspires me to worship when i am reminded of this. Worship is our response to a revelation of God. It could certainly be said that God has revealed himself be bringing peace to our land. But i understand your point about the difficulties of using such songs in many congregations. It is a valid one
Mike xo
sounds great. i think we are called to move in the prophetic, and i think we can certainly sing into this, and let our songs be a cry to God. it is right for us to praise for what God has done, but it is also right to be focussed on what God is doing now, and what He will do. this song sounds like it does all of these
I think this is a great direction for you John. Quite brave too as calling christians' attention to such matters can still appear unconventional.
By the way when can you give me back my £20.00?
Bill F.
In debating whether a song about God working through the troubles is appropriate for corporate worship, I think we need to look at some context. As a Northern Irish fella by roots (ok, I did move to blighty when i was a nipper of 7 years old), I've never really struggled when we sing countless worship songs about going to "the promised land" or "the God who created the heavens and the earth". I sing these even though I was not at either of these historic happenings - either with the Israelites as they crossed the Red Sea, or indeed when God created the earth. Yet we still don't question the appropriateness of using these historical events to worship and affirm God's power and presence. They demonstrate that we have a God who moves for justice, who performs miracles of peace, and who loves His people. And as History (or God's influence in History) didn't stop once the bible was finished, we need to continue to look for God's influence and power in the events that we become part of.
I think it is great to worship God as he has moved in the political and social environment in Norn' Ireland and it completely demonstrates that we have a God of the past, present and future.
If we had more songs like this, which proclaimed God's movement in current times, maybe we could move worship so much more from "concept" to "reality" i.e. a way of life, rather than an abstract concept (which is probably how a lot of guys outside the church would view it in light of the songs we sing).
:God has moved in an astounding way in our land in my lifetime.
flipin eck.... that god bloke can do no wrong can he.... 30 years of troubles and its all the other guys fault... then when it ends, its god's doing. pretty simple i suppose
Post a Comment
<< Home