What's Worth Dying For?

"They [previous/other songs] didn't feel like the type of song you wanted to die singing. And for Hello Hurricane, that became the prerequisite for the song, was if you're not crying, why are you singing it?... If you don't believe it, with every ounce of you, then there's no point in singing it." Jon Foreman, of Switchfoot

I’ve always loved this quote, but now more so than ever, especially coming off such an eventful and crazy week. I read this quote as speaking about life itself, and, knowing Foreman, I wouldn’t be surprised if he meant it that way, either.

With each passing day, I find myself desiring more and more substance… Something to hold onto. Something with meaning. Something permanent. And, I don’t mean Jesus, because I already hold onto Him tighter each day. (Or I try my best to! Agh.) I’m talking about everything in between.

What’s really important to me? What am I deeply passionate about? Those are topics I’ve mentioned several times already on my blog, I know. It’s just that I’m tired of being distracted.

What am I really passionate about? I think the most obvious one that comes to mind is music. In fact, I just turned my headphones up LOUDER! [I wonder if anyone can hear the music around me… *takes them off*… Probably… =)] I’m not sure how people can live without it… I don’t know. For me, it’s a direct line to my soul. Well, technically, Jesus is, but you know what I mean! Lyrics, song, artist’s expression… It’s fascinating reading/hearing lyrics, sometimes. I thoroughly enjoy hearing a verse (or anything, not just music, for that matter) that just hits, and I know I've experienced something special. Chad Butler (also of Switchfoot) calls this the “Dare You to Move” moment, where, as an artist or author, you know you’ve struck the right chord and it just knocks you back. Take this chorus from “Vice Verses” by Switchfoot, for example:

I know that there’s a meaning to it all
A little resurrection every time I fall
You got your babies, I got my hearses
Every blessing comes with a set of curses
I got my vices, I got my vice verses
These are my vice verses

Are you kidding me right now? I would give almost anything to come up with that!! Haha.. “A little resurrection every time I fall.” Beautiful…

To be a songwriter would be incredible! I suck at writing, but you know what? I love it! That’s why I have this stinkin’ blog. So, why not give song writing a shot? I also can’t play an instrument, very well, at least. Yet. So what? =) I’ll take the chance…

It’s the same deal with photography, except I’m a tad bit better at it than I am with music ;). I adore capturing life and expressing myself and others through a photograph. I feel the same way about this as I do music. There are photos that standout more so than others; photos that carry weight. And a lot of times, you don’t need to meet the photographer to know that they’re passionate about it; exactly like music. You can just feel it in their work. They say you can’t judge a book by its cover… But, sometimes, I beg to differ ;).

I can spend the next few days, listing line after line, verse after verse, from songs, quotes from friends, etc., etc. that have hit me hard (in a good way!). My point is to do what I love in life. Where does sitting around in a room, by myself, with an N64 get me? A LOT of knockouts with Pikachu in Super Smash Bros., that’s what!! =P Haha. Seriously. What do all of those virtual victories amount to when so many chances are left on the table in real life? It’s those types of distractions that I’m finding aren’t worth it to me.

I’m also drawn to the intangibles, if you’ve noticed. With music and photography, there are two sides: Tangible and intangible. Duh. Haha. With music, you need to understand chords, rhythm, composition, and what have you. Photography, there’s shutter speed, aperture, ISO, exposure, and so on. These are all tangible items. There’s definition and structure; action and absolute results. But, it’s all the intangibles that you simply can’t teach, and good luck learning them, as a consequence! Some people have a talent to create a genuine, heart-felt line, or a photograph that plays like a novel. It’s these fleeting moments that move me, that make me feel alive, and that I strive to witness and attain.

I also believe that this is true for everyone, whether or not you realize it. I could be dead wrong, but from what I’ve seen, and from what I’ve done myself, what we really care about doing in our lives tends to be a reflection of ourselves. I know this may sound obvious… But, I find it intriguing, and enjoy the fact that our love for something gives others a glimpse of who were are, and the more passionate we are about it, the larger that window into our life is. It’s also interesting to note that our passion correlates to where we feel Him the most, and that, too, is fully expressed. You know, sometimes we don’t need to know someone personally to know who they are.* Just follow their love…

Our wholehearted belief in ourselves, in our God, and for what we do is what makes life worth living, and this love we have is what’s worth dying for.

*But, often times, we have to ;). Haha. Another reason life is worth living =). Everybody has a story…

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:36

P.S. What? You’ve never heard “Vice Verses” by Switchfoot?! Oh, that’s probably because it’s off their NEW ALBUM, being released later this year (hopefully)!!! =D Check out the video! Jon Foreman’s been rocking this song around the country if you ask politely, and/or wait long enough after their concert, apparently =P.