By Brenda Black
Nearly 3,200 fans ticketed their way
through chain link fences to concrete benches, and chairs they would
rarely occupy, for a concert at the 2014 Missouri State Fair. They
came to hear award winning gospel recording artist MercyMe belt out
hit after hit. A top act from this genre has not graced the MSF
grandstand stage since 1997. Back then it was Sandi Patty, famous for
her incredible range and lilting voice. But on a balmy night more
recent, five men dominated vocal acrobatics, with lead singer Bart
Millard holding notes to incomprehensible lengths and never faltering
from pure tones and perfect pitch. Their talent worthy of State Fair
exhibition.
The band has been around since 1994,
but in 2001, the world sat up and took notice when they released an
original crossover single, “I Can Only Imagine.” That song helped
secure a double platinum certification on their debut album Almost
There. Millard's incredible talent in both his vocal and
song-writing abilities – he wrote “I Can Only Imagine” on a
legal pad in one sitting – continues to take the band's sound to
the top of the charts. They've released six additional albums, plus a
greatest hits, with four certified gold. They had 13 consecutive top
5 singles on the Billboard Christian Songs chart, with seven reaching
No. 1 status. MercyMe has eight Dove Awards, numerous Grammy Award
nominations and just released their latest album Welcome to the
New.
With all that talent and all those
trophies, surely this music man must have a peachy life, spared from
all difficulties. Think again. From under the spotlight, he exposed
his soul, and proves once again that, to some degree, everyone is
broken. Between upbeat, drum-driven songs and heartfelt, symphonic
stories, the singer/songwriter with the brilliant smile and a voice
like an angel shared personal testimony of hurt, abuse, grief and
confusion on his life's journey.
Michael Ging, a 23 year old fan from
Sedalia could relate, “My parents split when I was only three years
old too,” he said. “Bart sharing about his life, the abuse from
his father, and how God redeemed those hard days, brings home the
point that God is real. He loves us and He is merciful.”
From the outside looking in, we
quickly surmise that people on such platforms don't struggle. In a
moment when it would be easier to keep up the image rather than be
transparent, Millard tore down the curtain and talked about coming to
terms with forgiveness, and how he looks forward to meeting his saved
and transformed father one day in heaven. He confessed difficulty
over losing a cousin killed on the job, and admitted rough spots in a
marriage from unresolved issues. Bart got real and it made a
difference to someone going through something similar. My guess is
that there were about 3,199 others also touched by his words.
Sometimes encouragement comes through
a song on the radio. I am more convinced than ever that God ministers
through His gifted performers. The inspiration for those hit tunes
may come from one act of kindness or one thoughtful word from one man
or woman. For Millard, it came from a friend who told him over and
over again, “You are holy, righteous and redeemed.”
Everybody is broken. We all need a
Savior. We all need understanding and support and patience and
healing. We may not all have a voice like Bart Millard, but we can
get honest with one another and offer help and hope. The result will
take us a little closer to the heaven we can only imagine.
Try it this week. Lift someone with a
kind word of “I've been there, brother. I understand. And I know
what happens when the 'Hurt and the Healer Collide.'” With “All
That is Within Me,” I pray you are able to say “So Long Self”
and let “The Word of God Speak” through you, because “All of
Creation” calls us to “Move” for God's glory.
There is definitely more to MercyMe than just music. And there's more to you and me than what we let the world typically see.
(photos courtesy https://www.facebook.com/backroadprod)
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