The Most "Radzilla" Night Ever!

Yesterday Haley, Emily, and I went to an amazing concert. If you have come within earshot of me since then, you probably know that we would not shut up about holding Jon Foreman's hand, the lead singer of Switchfoot. The concert was to benefit habitat for humanity and featured Ruth, Relient K, and my favorite Switchfoot.

The truly amazing thing about the concert was listening to the artists speaking to the crowds about their outlook on life. All the guys on the stage last night were truly sincere and genuine about the issues they talked about. Jon Foreman said something I doubt I will ever forget: "Everyday we breath i and out, in and out, in and out...day in and day out. It's just repetition. He gave us breath for something so much more than this. We were made to live for something more substantial than this. We were meant to live for so much more..." Wow. I know going to a private, Christian school, we all have been told that we are here for a purpose, but last night it hit me exactly how hard that is. When the entire world seems like they are living without a purpose, it is so difficult to live literally every breath with meaning and purpose, sincerity and integrity showing truth and honor to him.

All these guys, Switchfoot, Relient K, and Ruth, have gone through "Stardom" and managed to praise and honor Him throughout it all. For that I admire and look up to those guys. Their creativity, genuine hearts, loving spirit, and love for God totally showed through last night. Who ever said Christian concerts are no fun had never seen any of these guys live.

Ruth, a relatively unknown band who I totally recommend listening to, started the concert out with an awesome, laid back attitude. Relient K followed and even invited up a guy to play the last part of "Sadie Hawkins Dance." Let me tell you, I thought Haley was going to cry out of disappointment but she quickly got over it when Relient K brought out the inflatable Christmas decor and played Christmas songs off their new holiday CD. While they played them, snow was blown over the audience. The concert awesome before it really even began! The band continued with a tribute song about The Office which gave the whole auditorium a good laugh.

It was finally time for Switchfoot, and the entire auditorium got about three times louder than before...and that was just for the stage crew getting ready for the band. Switchfoot came out and played every song better than any performance I have ever heard in my life, live or recorded. The cell phone lights were whipped out in no time and I am certain the people sitting in front of us were deaf from the singing and screaming/screeching Em, Haley, and I were doing. Jon crowd surfed and ventured into the audience where he held the three of our hands and was so close we could he his voice without the microphone. The lead singer had so much energy, it was almost scary. After jumping around on stage, spinning with the drum cymbals, rocking out with his brother, and crowd surfing, he stopped to talk about his experiences in life and giving back to habitat for humanity with no loss of breath.(Each ticket had $1 go to HFH.) Haley, Emily, and I had to get the band merch and managed to get all the signatures of the Ruth guys who were totally cool about Em and Haley hopping on one foot to get the signatures.

The most inspiring thing for me was that all the bands really did seem so down to earth and had a true love for God and an appreciation for the talents he gave them. That is what really impacted me last night and made me think. I was put here for a reason. In all God's amazingness, I never really make a huge effort to give back to the Creator who gave me breath. Every heartbeat, I can be using my life to give back and give the Glory to God. He created us, put life into us! And for the first time in my life, I saw people who truly gave back to God all the talents He gave them. It left me speechless-either that or my constant screaming and singing for 4 and a half hours. I know that concert is something I will remember for the rest of my life. I don't think it gets much better when you combine great bands, music, causes, and talent with a desire to live for God in a world that, despite the laws of gravity, is falling apart. (idea stolen from something J. Foreman said at the show)