One of the great new trends in Christian music is to invite worshippers to dance before the Lord with a contemporary, exciting musical feel featuring electronic dance music (EDM) and upbeat musical arrangements. Some recent examples of songs we've been able to sing and dance along with include the energetic songs "Alive" and "Wake" by Hillsong Young & Free, "#LITO (Love in the Open)" by Press Play and "Feel It" by TobyMac. 

In that same vein of upbeat songs to get you excited about life and your faith is this great new dance anthem by Matthew Parker, from his album Adventure. You may have previously heard the Dream Label Group artist's name on remixes like "Reckless for Love" by SHINEBRIGHT, "Compass" by Jonathan Thulin and "Made Alive" by Citizens & Saints. I had the chance to speak with Matthew about "Adventure."

Please tell me the personal story behind this song.

I've been thinking a lot about how life is made of ups and downs and happy times and tragedies, just like there are sunny days and stormy days. It's almost like a roller coaster with twists and turns. As believers in God, we know everything is going to be alright in the end, and so we have an unbreakable hope. Because of this, I believe we were meant to enjoy life, even in the dark times, and have an optimistic attitude through it all. As the lyrics in the song say, "just call it an adventure, then it ain't so bad." 

The life God calls us to, is one of adventure. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Don't waste the only life you have. Go and live the adventure that God has for written you.

Which Bible verses connect to the message of the song?

Psalm 149:3 (NKJV): "Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp."

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV): "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Romans 8:11 (VOICE): "If the Spirit of the One who resurrected Jesus from the dead lives inside of you, then you can be sure that He who raised Him will cast the light of life into your mortal bodies through the life-giving power of the Spirit residing in you."

Romans 8:28 (VOICE): "We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan."

Romans 12:2 (VOICE): "Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete."

1 Corinthians 2:9 (VOICE): "But as the Scriptures say, No eye has ever seen and no ear has ever heard and it has never occurred to the human heart all the things God prepared for those who love Him."

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV): "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV): "Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

What is the takeaway message?

I'm incredibly excited about my new album Adventure because it's somewhat of a new era for me as an artist. I've put so much imagination and dreaming and emotion into this album, and the whole sound is something very new for me. I've grown so much in the past few years, and this music reflects that journey. I really hope these tunes will make you dream and feel and think. Life is an adventure. My music is just a soundtrack.

Lyrics:
You and me
We found adventure
I never dreamed that you would change my world forever
But here we are
I'm ready to conquer
Ready to fight injustice like I'm fighting monsters

Life is black and blue
Happy then it's sad
Just call it an adventure
Then it ain't so bad

Together we touch the sky
Wherever we go we fly
Forever we know adventure's in the air tonight
Together we touch the sky
Wherever we go we fly
Forever we know adventure's in the air tonight
Our dreams will come alive

You and me
We found adventure
In a land of buried mines and buried treasure
This could be
My last adventure
But I will take it
Whether it be pain or pleasure

Life is black and blue
Happy then it's sad
But if you call it an adventure
Then it ain't so bad

This is heaven
This is living
Together we touch the sky
This is heaven
This is believing
Our dreams will come alive

I love how the music of this song matches the excitement being expressed lyrically. Our God is worthy of all of our praise, and we'll be singing and dancing before Him for eternity. This song gives believers a foretaste of that celebration. One of my favorite things about "singing a new song to the Lord" is that the idea of worship in Heaven is an exciting picture for me, and that's the glimpse that we gain from this high energy song. It delighted God that David, a man after God's own heart, danced unashamed before the Lord. This song is an example of being obedient to that calling to make God the object of all of our worship.

The Lord calls us to have joy in Him regardless of our circumstances, which this song celebrates. Our true joy comes from our relationship with Jesus. This song helps set my mind on Christ, and to let the distractions of the day melt away and instead focus on worshiping the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Regardless of our circumstances, we need to truly be free in Christ and be happy and filled with joy, like Paul and Silas in prison.

One of the greatest witnesses that followers of Jesus can demonstrate to non-believers to show them the upside down Kingdom of God is to live out the words of this song and have that inner joy, which is supernatural. That shows observers of Christians walking through valleys that they have the hope and joy of the love of God, living out His plans for them. 

"Adventure" challenges listeners to live the life God has planned for them. God is good, but life is not safe. We should all strive for true freedom in Christ. God is worthy of all of our trust. God tells us repeatedly in His Word to sing and dance before Him. This song is a great answer to that calling. Join in with the angels and saints to dance and sing, "This is heaven, this is living, together we touch the sky, this is heaven, this is believing, our dreams will come alive." Amen to that!

Listen to the song below.