All Things Bright and Beautiful

It’s a lovely feeling to look up to someone, especially a famous person. That fame that they harbor is quite admirable, but it’s often what they do with the fame that makes an impact on a dreaming, thinking girl like me. It’s such an exciting thing when a “real world” celebrity proclaims his trust in the Great Maker. This has just recently occurred to me that this proclamation is quite a dangerous one to make and cling to in the famous world, unfortunately. So inspiring it is, though, when they can stand up and praise the Great King’s name without worry of an onlooker’s mockery. The confidence they have in their Jesus can really be inspirational.

This thought came to me since I just pre ordered Owl City’s new “All Things Bright and Beautiful” album.  I very much looked up to the man behind Owl City, Adam Young, for about two years now for many reasons.  At first, Fireflies made an impact on me because it was so different. I strive in nearly all I do to be different, and this song was different. People didn’t really know what to think of him, so I did my research in my STEM class and slowly fell in love with the optimistic sound of his melodies. I learned all I could about him, and followed him on every website he had. I was truly inspired by his uniqueness. I learned, amongst my thorough research, that he was a Christian. I thought that that was cool, but I didn’t read much into it. I figured that it was only claims like most other celebrities do to broaden their fan base. Vanilla Twilight came out on the radio after I had already learned every word, and then the music video had come out. I was very excited as I watched the abstract, yet meaningful images on the screen. After I watched it o few hundred times, burning up our slow internet, I proceeded to the ‘blog’ I found that was supposed to be written by Adam Young himself. I determined that this was, indeed, his blog, and read. I was immensely inspired by all of his writings. From simple excerpts from books about fall, to beautifully written pieces about the heartbreak he was facing. They were, and still are, so beautiful to read. Eventually, after trying to get tickets to his Ocean Eyes tour because of my young age (the venues close to me were all able to serve alcohol) I had peaked in my fanatic status. I kept reading his blog faithfully. He wrote this piece about his future wife. He expressed how he had not met her yet, but he hope that she trusts solely in her Savior. He went on to express his trust that He is keeping her safe. I was so impressed. I couldn’t believe that such a high profile person would openly mention God in such a way! I loved it, to say the least. Months went by, and I read his blog more faithfully, and listened to his music more, if possible. One Monday, I read and listened to a cover of “In Christ Alone” he had published on his blog. I had sung it before in church, but hearing my favorite artist sing it, and write about how much the song meant to him personally really hit home for me. His blog post about that song made me think about the song on a whole deeper level. Play the video to hear the cover Adam did on "In Christ Alone"

In Christ alone, my hope is found

He is my light, my strength, my song

This cornerstone, this solid ground

Firm through the fiercest drought and storm

What heights of love, what depths of peace

When fears are stilled, when strivings cease

My comforter, my all-in-all

Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious day

Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death

This is the power of Christ in me

From life's first cry to final breath

Jesus commands my destiny

No power of hell, no scheme of man

Can ever pluck me from His hand

Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Till He returns or calls me home

Here in the power of Christ I'll stand
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

The beautiful interpretation of this song brought tears to my eyes. Word by word, it paints a beautiful picture of what refuge we have in our Great Protector. God had to send his Son on this awful Earth because we were too sinful to know him otherwise. It’s a heavy fact to lie on a heart, but it’s something needed to be known. This song is a wonderful story, and a depiction of what we have. It’s amazing, to say the least.  

 It may be unfortunate that it took a guy from Owatonna to make me truly look at this song, but God works in the most mysterious ways. Instead of screaming the Truth in people’s ears, Adam Young simply leads by grand example. After dissecting this song, I can truly say that it’s my favorite proclamation the greatest victory ever accomplished.  

While I’m on the subject though, there is one more inspirational Owl City song that simply cannot be ignored. An original song he’s done is much shorter. It’s nearly equally inspiring, though. The confusing name “Meteor Shower” is such a short, sweet visualization of how in need we are of our Maker.

I can finally see
That you're right there beside me
                                                                                                                                                          
I am not my own
For I have been made new
Please don't let me go
I desperately need you

Think about it