YOU WANT A TRANSITION WHERE??

So last night, there was a concert entitled "the United Sound." The youth of Loma Linda Filipino Church realized that the youth of their surrounding community is so separated and thought "hey how about we get together?" and what is a better way to bring people together other than music? And that's what they did. It was really cool and fun because of all the awesome worship that people prepared. re|GEN was asked to bring a representative band to contribute to the praise and I was given the wonderful opportunity to participate in that band.

Now you're probably wondering what the hell a transition is and what it has to do with this program. Well to answer that...

1. A transition is the intentional soliloquy (an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of any hearers) a singer does before or during the song. Transitions are nice ways to set the mood for a song, especially if it's those really deep songs.

2. I have a friend who really likes transitions. He so happened to be the leader of the band last night (which is no coincidence because he's like the worship director or whatever) and asked the singers to put together some last minute transitions. Prior to last night, we did practice but without transitions so I was like "lol WHAT." At one point in my life, I winged my transitions and they were fine but also kind of sucked. Now, I know that I must prepare transitions beforehand to save myself the trouble. However, there I was 15 minutes before our cue trying to piece together a transition.

I thought about the song real hard. This song is no stranger to me. It is my favorite "heart broken, hands lifted" type of song second to Here as it is in Heaven by Elevation Worship. The lyrics that really got to me where "all consuming, consume me." Primarily, those lyrics were really meaningful because there was a time in my life where I felt really burnt out from all the worship stuff. The one thing I loved the most eventually became the thing that consumed my entirety. I was in such a weak and fearful state that I felt hopeless for a long time. Then it hit me. In those 15 minutes as I pondered, it hit me.

Vulnerability.

I loved those lyrics because it sounds like the plea of the vulnerable and helpless. Usually, one would associate vulnerability with weakness, like I did. When I felt burnt out, I felt weak and I was afraid of that. Why? Why is vulnerability frightening to not only me but to others as well? Vulnerability means to lose self-control or to be susceptible to the control of outside forces. Often times, the consequences are pain and suffering. We can all relate that suffering sucks so much. You just want it to end so that you can be happy again. Unfortunately, pain doesn't stop at the snap of your fingers. Then I thought about it again. What is the one outside force that we all have in common so that I could relate this transition to all those in the audience? It was simple.

Life.

Everything clicked from there. We have either been taught or figured out ourselves to succeed. With every wall life brings, you are expected to make out a way to get to the other side, whether that be breaking it or hopping over it. You are expected to succeed. And when you fail, you are shunned or you feel inadequate. Then you either use that failure to become even stronger and get through the next obstacle. Or you let it get to you and you indulge yourself in this dark hole. The cycle repeats itself. But, here's a "what if."

WHAT IF we voluntarily lose? .. Voluntarily lose? What the hheck?????

Yes I mean purposely giving up. I mean losing control of your life. I mean not knowing where to go. I mean not knowing where to go next. I mean losing control of your happiness. I mean bringing your walls down. I mean weakness and vulnerability. I mean sometimes getting hurt. Scratch that. A lot of times getting hurt. I mean exposing your open wounds and scars.

but not to just anyone. He is the Maker of the Earth. He is Heaven's king. He is Eternity and endless worth. He is Perfect Love. He is the Father. He is the One. but get this. He is kind of not a person but is. You can still trust this person/kinda not person. Disclaimer: I'm just going to use the 'He' pronoun as a placeholder. I don't really know how it works but if you give your heart to Him, He takes care of the rest. He is Victory so you don't have to be afraid of loss. I have a lot of life yet to live but I have gone through some shit. I still am. However in the middle of the chaos, I get these moments of happiness in the form of people, music, and/or love. He's taking care of me by giving me hope through happiness.

FOR SO LONG I THOUGHT HE FORGOT. I THOUGHT HE FORGOT THAT I COULDN'T HANDLE THE STRUGGLES I HAVE. I WAS SO WRONG. HE HAS GIVEN ME SO MANY WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES AND PEOPLE AND A BUNCH OF OTHER THINGS. HE DIDN'T GIVE ME DIRECT ANSWERS TO ALL MY PROBLEMS BUT RATHER GAVE ME AN INDIRECT NOTION TOWARDS HOPE AND STRENGTH TOWARD THE SOLUTION. HAD HE NOT GIVEN ME THOSE CONTRIBUTORS TO MY HAPPINESS, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE LOST MY FAITH. AND I THINK THAT'S SO IMPORTANT FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW.

HE IS TAKING CARE OF YOU. WHETHER YOU'VE GIVEN YOUR HEART TO HIM OR NOT. YOU PROBABLY DON'T REALIZE IT YET.

and with that, I think that's more than enough of a reason to try giving God a chance. or another chance for others. Hey here's something to think about: Regardless of how scary it is and how scary it will be, try giving Him a chance. Let Him take control of your life. Let Him into your life. Just try.

My thoughts for sure did not organize itself properly like this. This blog is an extension of my jumble of thoughts that somehow morphed into a provoking transition. I thought you'd be curious as to how it ended up so I'll try my best to recall my words and put it down here.

*cue the Open Heaven River Wild intro*

"So we're all going through this struggle. It's kinda called life. *everyone laughs* Every day we encounter another wall and we have to fight through it. But sometimes it gets too tiring. Sometimes it hurts too much and we're left hopeless. In the song there are lyrics in the bridge that I love so much. It says 'all consuming, consume me.' When we're left hopeless, we become so scared and weak. So vulnerable. But how about giving it to Jesus? All that pain? He'll handle it. He will take care of

you!! Isn't that awesome?! ...."

There are so many holes in my mind so that's all I remember but I heard the people. They shouted in victory. They shouted with agreement. They cheered. I didn't hear the full audience singing experience but I swear I heard them during the song. I heard their broken Hallelujah's. I heard their souls. It was so fulfilling. All Glory to Him.

Special shout out to Martin, LLFC youth, Isabel, Cole, Jasmine, and Vanessa.

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Open Heaven River Wild by Hillsong Worship//Elohim by Hillsong Worship//Real Love by Hillsong Y&F