If you're familiar with contemporary Christian music, you're most likely familiar with the band MercyMe. They've had quite a few hits over the past ten years, including the immensely popular "I Can Only Imagine," which Calvary has used during worship multiple times. While traveling this past Saturday in northeastern Indiana, MercyMe's tour bus was involved in a fatal traffic accident that claimed the lives of two individuals and an unborn child. Last night's concert at the Wisconsin state fair was the group's first concert since the accident and I, as well as a few members from Calvary, had the priveledge of being part of a very real, very meaningful worship experience in the face of tragedy.
Bart Millard, lead singer of the band, opened the evening by sharing how the tragedy was weighing on them, and how there's no thing they'd rather be doing than worshipping God with a few thousand people on a race track in Wisconsin. He shared that what they sing about and talk about in their concerts takes on a much different meaning when what we hold so dearly - life - is taken away.
With his sharing, the passion with which they shared their message and music, and most importantly, the presence of the Spirit, what could have been just another concert turned into a worship service with healing and powerful praise. This worship was also convicting: it's hard to stress about the things in life that don't really matter - money, clothing, plans that go astray - when we're reminded of the fragility of life. The core of the worship, though, was God. His never-ending love, His peace that passes all understanding, and His amazing ability to bring good out of bad were at the forefront of each song, each sharing, and each moment.
Please pray for the families as they mourn their loved ones. Pray for the band as they recover from the accident. Pray that God continues to bring good things out of bad, just as He did with His Son on the cross.
- Dave
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