Amanda Cook is a Dove and Juno Award-winning artist who has led worship independently and with the worship band Bethel Music. Hailing from Canada, Amanda is a faithful and free musician who enjoys the simple amusements of life, such as releasing music under the name, Falcon.
Her most recent album, State of The Union, is designed to display her abundant store of creativity while proclaiming the message God has given her to share. She finds comfort in lyrics and she expresses this clearly as follows: "Music is a language insistent and committed to finding the golden thread that can make unlikely friends out of all of us." She's certainly skilled at funneling the truth into her beautiful melodies. I highly suggest you listen to the following two songs from the new record.
"While We Wait"
'Cause You're with us while we wait
You're with us while we wait
While we hope for better days
You're with us while we wait
"While We Wait" is a simple proclamation of God's constant grace. With every press on the piano keys, I felt anxiety slip away from my grasp (An unwanted thing I have often). Hanging on to problems we present to God is a common occurrence. Unfortunately, it can damage any forward faith-based progress.
How can we expect to move on if we continually associate with what harms us? It's a difficult process, I admit, to leave the burden at the altar--especially without a road map of what comes next. However, as this song so aptly describes, "You're here in the center of all hopelessness."
God has not abandoned you, not even close. He's in each moment, even the loaded ones we keep tucked away in our backpack that weighs heavily on our shoulders. Matthew 11:30, "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light," speaks more on this incredible concept of freedom. I highly suggest that you reflect on the verse while listening to "While We Wait."
"Time"
Heaven says it's time
Heaven says it's time
To free your heart and free your mind
Heaven says it's time
I cherish the cry for forgiveness presented in this song. By repeating these powerful lyrics, Amanda drives to a point I grapple with accepting. Grudges are dangerous; perhaps more than others of its kind. Grudges weigh us down.
When Amanda sings, "The weight of all the world was never yours to hold," I have to catch my breath because of the purity of that truth. God is in control of our lives, even when they feel out of control. It's not your responsibility to strain every day, holding up others' faith.
Yes, Christians are called to be a community, but that doesn't mean one member must be responsible for the brunt of the work. That is not your job. So, let it go and breathe. God has it, so "to free your heart and free your mind."
Selena Schulz is NRT’s youngest staff contributor. She loves God, music, reading, and writing.
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