GOD ONLY KNOWS

Luke and Joel Smallbone

The final decision had been made, and we had made it known. We were leaving our church and culture. It hurt… We had never imagined to be here… Our friends and family were reeling in pain and shock. Our hearts hurt for them, but there was nothing we could do. Under the pain our hearts were experiencing deep peace.

It was a Sunday evening about 3 weeks later. We rushed through chores on the farm and hurried to Rapid City, an hour away, picking up some supper on the way. We waded through the crowds of people at the Hills Alive concert in the park. The older children had wanted to come so we decided to join. We had never been to any sort of concert before, and it was scary. This feels wrong. I am not supposed to be here, right? This must be an act of rebellion. Maybe I’ll need to repent later on. No, this will be fun. It’s ok, look at all these people. Oh, look, there’s someone I recognize! I met her the first time just the other day.

The singers were Luke and Joel Smallbone (brothers) and their band, For King and Country. Complete Greek to me, never heard of them. Never had heard any of their songs. Being used to only acapella music, the drums and instruments were confusing, seeming so noisy. It was hard to understand the words of the song. We settled in among the thousands of others. And then… something completely unexpected happened.

There was this palpable rise in spirits as Luke and Joel and their accompaniment put out song after song. People were singing along, lifting their arms in prayer, swaying to the beat. All the people say ‘Amen, Amen, Amen… When we fall, we will fall together, when we rise, we will rise together… What are we waiting for? What are we praying for? What are we saving for? What if we could be the light that no one could ignore?… When confusion’s my companion, And despair holds me for ransom, I will feel no fear, I know that You are near, My help comes from You, You’re right here, pulling me through… So let my life be the proof, the proof of Your love, Let my love look like you, and what you’re made of… God only knows…

I was completely unprepared for what I felt that night. At one point they asked that everyone turn on their cell phone lights and it was so amazing. There in the dark with all those little lights, everyone was the same. Every single one was a beautiful soul with a story. No one was their looks, their clothes, the look on their face. I though maybe this was how God saw us - each a soul of equal value, with a light to shine in the world. My heart grew and expanded, and I shed tears. I knew God was bigger than I had thought.

For King and Country’s music became a staple and lifeline for me. Their songs and messages carried me through so many hard moments in the next couple years. They held exactly what I needed in the moment, so. many. times…

Joel and Luke and others of their family released a movie called Unsung Hero. We got tickets, and another Sunday we went to see it at the movie theater. Again, the movie theater?? And on Sunday?? Yes, we did. In days gone by I would never have dared. I actually criticized and gossiped about others who went to movies. I don’t like to make a habit of going to the movies because it feels gross to be sitting in darkness in the middle of the day with all this electronic stuff going on, and I am VERY picky what I watch. But this was one we were not going to miss.

The movie tells their family’s story of losing close to everything in their home country of Australia, coming to the USA with nothing, and their amazing mother pregnant with baby number 7… Again, I was completely unprepared for how touched I would be - at the movies… It was like a revival for me, truly. I so much recommend that movie to anyone. It is very inspiring how their faith and family love carried them through so much, and how God showed up to care for them. And I must say their mother is a role model…

My children tease me that maybe I have a crush on Joel and Luke! Lol… No, I don’t, but they have been such an incredible encouragement to me in the last couple years. I sometimes wonder how I could thank them?… Thank you, Smallbone family, for your courage to show up and to never ever ever ever ever give up… and to run wild and live free!…

RCY