Decyfer Down is a Christian hard rock band that has won great popular acclaim in the past few years. If you are into that scene at all, you have heard of them. They are on the road more than they are home in North Carolina, often playing very large gigs or mainstream clubs and have already travelled overseas sharing their melodic anthems with other nations. A week ago, we found out they had a night open while in our area and through a mutual connection who set it up, they were willing to come to our Wedsnesday night youth meeting. Since is was a bit unofficial and we knew we didn't have the time to plan and promote or space to permit a large concert, we came up with the idea of an "unplugged" format with less music and more sharing, relaxed and intimate in style to fit the setting. The band readily agreed to this refreshing idea, even though we actually had to round up acoustic guitars for them since theirs had a while back been stolen out of their trailer (the joys of life on the road). In other words, this was a thing this band doesn't often do. If they had a comfort zone, this would have been out of it.
When the concert time rolled around, Decyfer Down sat on stools in the middle of a stage full of candles and throw pillows and begin to do acoustic renditions of a few of their metal masterpieces. They had been alone in our church building all day preparing so no one had heard a rehearsal. From the first strum, we were all transfixed. Stripped down, it turns out that what lies beneath all those hard rock compositions is a whole lot of musicianship and vocals that are amazingly clear and powerful. With two guitars, a djimbe and Caleb Oliver's voice, these four guys covered their own songs and created a world of sound that came alive from our little stage. It was mesmerizing and the air was thick with the tender passion of artists expressing their hearts with nothing to hide behind. I found myself so appreciative to have been a witness to it and I know that the crowd that gathered felt the same way. There are just some evenings you walk away from knowing that heaven not only smiled, but also applauded. The band enjoyed it too it seemed. It turns out that these four guys truly believe what many people try to preach: that it doesn't matter the size of the crowd or the "sexiness" of the gig--what matters is the power of the music to express a real experience with the living God.
While I sat listening and being amazed (I mean, for me musically it was comparable to a few of my most inspiring Dave Matthews moments--and this accolade I don't hand out lightly), I thought about the metaphor the whole thing presented. Sometimes, life hands you the opportunity to just strip it down and see what's actually underneath the complicated driving music that you have evolved. You may have been singing your song loud and strong and thrilling the crowds, confident that you are on the road to success when suddenly, like the guys of Decyfer Down, you find yourself alone on a stage with a bare minimum of accommodation (and even borrowed instruments!). It is then that you find out what's underneath--it then that you get to strip it down and hear the essence of your true voice once again. This joyous test can be a reminder of what it is all about, a recalibration and a celebration of the simplicity of grace that underlies our busy Christian pursuits.
We make ministry and life so complicated and my own world is no exception. The talks I give are full of visuals, whether they are slides from my electronic library of power points or the latest YouTube video I have downloaded in an effort to bypass boredom and sail my point into the right side of the brain. I work hard at the craft God has given me and I take seriously the challenge to change the world (and the church--a harder gig), setting it on fire with the flame that lights me. However, I have walked with God long enough to know that He always knows just when I need to pause and, for one night at least, STRIP IT DOWN.... Think of it: I have the rare and exciting privelege of helping people see how quantum physics lines up with the ancient truth of the Christian faith, but I also have the brilliant opportunity to demonstrate that faith in simple kindness to a child who could care less what photons do! I love to help people get free from old left-brained wineskins that hinder Kingdom expression, but there are times when people simply need to taste the actual wine and not be bothered!
My husband calls me an "orthodox revolutionary" who will challenge the church to change using--not something new--but rather what they actually already technically believe! That is my "rock and roll" and people are beginning to expect it from me when they attend my "concerts". BUT, the other day when I found myself sharing with a waitress who had just left her husband after the humpteenth time he had beaten her, I knew it was time to "take the stage" stripped down. She didn't care if the church was engaging postmodern culture--she just needed to know Jesus could lift the oppressive weight of shame that was polluting the culture in her immediate vicinity. Yeah, we all have to strip it down sometimes.
It occured to me while listening to Decyfer Down that their willingness to be "stripped down"--not just musically but spiritually as well--was the very thing that would qualify them for larger and larger platforms. In a world where identity is too often tied into success and stardom, (even in the Christian arena), these guys have an opportunity to make a difference and "keep it real" and I think they will do it. The evening reminded me of being in Littlehampton England at the church where Delirious? are members on a Sunday when they just happened to be on the rotation for worship leading responsibilities. There we watched the band that has played to capacity crowds around the world deal with gliches in the sound systems and unexpected turns in the order of service just like thousands of unheralded worship leaders do around the world every Sunday. They were stripped down! And...they didn't mind. Their roots were the local church and they had never allowed their scope to exceed their depth. They knew that being stripped down from time to time was a healthy part of the process of growth in the Kingdom.
In a world of insecurities, God, not Tony Robbins, is the expert confidence builder. And, in His usual way, God creatively plans experiences to reintroduce us to our own authentic voice in Him. When we are stripped down, we remember who we are. Rather than being "all about me," after those times we seem to finally be able to get out of the way and let it be "all about Him". Confidence comes from remembering your roots and having a good laugh once again at the impossibility of all the things you are doing, except by Grace. When you are stripped down, the thought that you could have pulled any of this off on your own becomes ridiculous and you relax back into the huge cradling arms of a Savior's complete redemption. By stripping off the trappings, you are actually empowered. When you find yourself happy to sing strong and pure alone on the stage and exposed by simplicity, you just might be ready for the stadiums and the lights. Follow Decyfer Down's example and refuse to miss the joy of ocassionally stripping it down.
As for my fan status, I literally "bought the t-shirt" (the babydoll shaped one, pink on black...cool) as well as the CD which I will be loading onto my iPod and taking to the gym, but the merchandise I will treasure more is the glimpse of redeemed hearts that I caught. Real church has happened when we have presented a real Jesus wrapped in our own skin and THAT is the "deciphering" for which the world is waiting. Let them see your hearts--not your status or accomplishment--and people will be changed.
I made some new friends that night because of the unity of purpose that we all felt. I wonder however how many Christians long for this same connection, not really sure it is possible. If the army of the authentic could begin to coalesce beyond the trappings of religion, what a noise they would make. Here's to everyone with that desire!
