Until the Whole World Hears

We heard Casting Crowns in concert last night at the fair in Lynden.  We were almost at the top of the grandstands and from there I could see not only the musicians but much of the fairgrounds. As the evening grew darker the lights onstage took on more drama, and I thought about the team behind the scenes and the precision with which they do their jobs.  Beyond the stage, bright lights outlined the rides against the dark sky.  The Ring of Fire burned brightly in the night.

From our seats I could also see much of the audience.  A daddy a few rows ahead of us who faced his little son as they joyfully sang the words together; a gal near the front with an enthusiastic dance step; a middle-aged woman with her hand upraised for much of the concert -- it was an animated, responsive group who loved the music.

Samuel sang his heart out beside me and performed his own lively choreography.

All the musicians are youth workers who are home in their churches Sunday through Wednesday but travel on weekends to do concerts.  They were fine instrumentalists and vocalists, and they have a strong, clear testimony.  The lyrics of their songs challenge believers to be the hands and feet of Jesus, to praise the Lord in the storms of life, to let their lifesong sing to Him.  They are on their Until the Whole World Hears tour.  The show ended with the title song and, as we were all singing along with them, "until the whole world hears," they quietly walked off the stage.  All that was left before us was smoke.  The audience continued the musical phrase, "until the whole world hears, until the whole world hears..."

And I wondered how Northwest Washington will be impacted today because we were all at that concert last night.