God Rocks and His Word Rolls On

CBN.com - "Erie Rocks!" It sounds similar to the Drew Carey theme song about that city just down the lakefront from my hometown -- but it wasn't exactly the big time. "Erie Rocks" was a local cable access music show that didn't even reach the suburbs.

But that was all right. Appearing on this TV show allowed the members of our Christian rock band to go into the world with the Gospel. The groups that normally appeared on "Erie Rocks" played heavy metal, punk rock, rap, or techno-pop. We were the first Christian band ever invited.

The host of the program was a man named Al who wore his signature KISS tee shirt on every show. He sported a black baseball cap that he covered with buttons from local bands. Nice guy, but somewhat of a pagan.

We had recently recorded a new album and the producers invited us to videotape several of the tunes for the show. One of the songs was called "Live For Jesus," and my sister Dawn did an excellent job with the lead vocals. The words to the chorus were:

I want to live for Jesus
All my life for you
I want to share the love of God
I want the world to feel it too

Not exactly Dickens, though it was a catchy tune. In fact, it was infectious -- but I can't take credit for that.

You see, that day at the local cable studios, we pointed people to Jesus Christ when Al interviewed us between performances of our songs. We talked about how we had experienced God's love through a relationship with Jesus Christ -- and not through dead, dry religion.

The next day, Al was walking the streets of Erie, humming a little ditty. He couldn't quite put his finger on the words. He walked into the bank and waited in line. The song went around and around in his head. "What is this tune?" he wondered. Al finished his business and walked back outside. He strolled down State Street, dressed in his KISS tee shirt and black, button-covered hat. Finally the words came to him, and without realizing it, he began to sing out loud:

I want to live for Jesus
All my life for you
I want to share the love of God
I want the world to feel it too

Suddenly he stopped cold. When he heard the words coming out of his own mouth he was overwhelmed. "What am I singing?" he said out loud. People passing by cast strange glances his way. With an uncomfortable chuckle he forced the song from his head, replacing it with the latest Van Halen hit.

Al went back to the cable station that day and worked to drive the song from his mind. He got on the phone and began lining up bands from local bars for future shows. But he never forgot our group -- or the song.

A few months later, he decided to run a local battle of the bands competition. Guess which video he played from our group?

When the cable company asked for material to send to the former Soviet Union as a part of a cultural exchange, guess which videos he chose? He told us later that our Christian rock videos were aired on Soviet television for months.

A year went by and I ran into Al at the mall. Yes, he was wearing the same KISS tee shirt and button-covered cap. But I noticed several Christian bands were now represented -- including a pin that we gave him on that fateful day. And Al's demeanor had changed from the last time I talked to him.

"I'm still doing 'Erie Rocks,'" he told me. "And I've been going to church for a couple of months now."

"God rocks," I thought to myself.

Throughout my life, the Lord has demonstrated in tangible ways that His word is powerful. "For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).

We have a wonderful promise from God about sharing the Gospel in Isaiah 55:11: "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it."

Our job is not to argue with people or to try to prove that we're right and they're wrong. We are merely messengers, delivering Good News to people trapped in their sinful condition. It is the Holy Spirit who energizes His word, drawing people to Jesus.

Just as a farmer can only scatter his seed in the soil, we can only share what has been shared with us. God causes the rain to fall, the sun to shine, and the nutrients in the soil to be drawn into the seed, bringing forth new life.

Have you taken advantage of the opportunities that God has given you to sow the seed of His word? Are you using your talents to see the Kingdom of God established in the earth?

Are you living for Jesus?

Last I heard, Al and his family were still attending that church in Erie. More than likely there is an Al in your life, waiting to hear a joyful song. Will you be obedient to sing it -- or share it -- with him? Who knows, he may send the message along for the world to hear it as well?

Would you like to know this same peace that Al found? Find it here.

Watch this classic video of Insight from Erie Rocks: The Stirring

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Craig von Buseck is Director of Ministries for CBN.com. Send him your comments on this article.

Other articles and interviews by Craig von Buseck on CBN.com.