On Christian Music and Hillsong UNITED Concert

 "and it really got me curious about what it meant to follow God. What it meant to love Jesus. And all that really started for me when I started listening to Christian Music."  - Kristian Stanfill


               As I was reading the Saved News Magazine, I encountered an article entitled "Kristian Stanfill on Christian Music". Here, I read the quote above. This is something for me because I could relate to it (when someone said what I wanted to say, that's simply one of my favorite moments. It just inspires me. Hehe). I can say it all started for me as well when I listened to Christian Music. If you know my Salvation story , then you know that the reason I said "Yes" to an invitation in a Worship service is actually a desire to listen to a Christian music (particularly Hillsong's). It played a significant role in the life I have now in Christ. It's just so precious.

               I agree when  Kristian Stanfill said that Christian Music was set apart because it's filled with so much hope. It is "coming through hope that says hey, God loves you. God is real..." Listening and singing Christian songs deposited faith in my heart even before I knew what it's like to live for Him.


              I believe it's my early cry out to God. I remember when I was 15, I used to sing:

              "Jesus we're living for Your name, we'll never be ashamed of You! Our praise and all we are today, Take, take, take it all! Take, take, take it all!"

              "Tell me what You want me to do Lord God, tell me what You want for my life.. It is Yours, oh God, it is Yours.." and

               "I'll be the one to shout Your fame forever, I'll be the one to sing Your praise, My Savior. You are the Strength inside of me. You are the Light that let's me see. My Only One.."

              These are all Hillsong UNITED songs! :) Take it all, By Your side and Only One. :)

             
               Not knowing, not even imagining a kind of life that is in store for me! It's just amazing on how God orchestrates things. #inAwe

               What made me more #inAwe is when I actually made it in Hillsong UNITED Manila Concert.

               

                         Flashback starts.

                         When I first heard about it, my heart skipped a beat. Yes. It was definitely a dream (waiting to come true, haha) I was so excited that I posted about it immediately in Facebook and then texted my friends (it would be great with friends right?) to inform them.

                         I really thought I could make it.

                        But then I heard after a month that "tickets were sold out" plus I started to have a part- time job until 8pm at that time. I just slowly slowly..slowly.. let it go.

                        Though there was a news about having a second night (June 11), I just shrugged it off. It's Wednesday. Part-time. Aww.

                         Fast forward on that night (June 11), I was indeed so sad. There's something hard in my heart. My friends (Ana, Dessie, R-jay, Eva, Rovi, Marco) and a whole lot more were there. Reading status and posts about it equals.....sighs.  Especially nung napadaan na ako ng Araneta. I went near and just stare at that huge venue for some minutes having a drama rama moment. Imagining thousands of people worshiping Jesus (and I'm not there!huhu). Walking away.... I'm letting it go. hehe.

                         I asked a friend in the concert  to tell me if they will play Oceans (where feet may fail). That's the song that I would loooveee to hear  if ever I would come. I was #inAwe again because my friend called me while they're playing that! Whoa! Worship time! I was really happy. Feeling nasa Araneta na din somehow. :) I thought that's it. I thought that's all in my Hillsong moment.

                       But, Friday came! June 13. No plans, no anything just a beat of the heart. Haha. I mean, deep desire pero alam ko impossible na talaga. I was surprised though when I saw an announcement na may available tickets pa! Is it real? Is it real?

                      I shared the link with the caption  " Kapag mamayang 8:30 at meron pa, nakooo! #umaasa".

                      On the way to Araneta, I was nervous na ewan. I'm praying hard na if will Nya, may ticket. Pero pag wala na, it's over. I'm praying di pa mag start though past 8 na. hehe. With Php 500 budget. Off I go.

                      At the ticket booth, may ticket pa! But there's no more Php 500 worth of ticket. Only worth a Thousand! 1, 2,3.. ANG MAHAL! It's so expensive that I walk away again. But then I'm still confused. I prayed and prayed and prayed "Lord..go or not?" I hastily read my Bible on the phone. I read Psalms 33:1-4!  It says:

Let the godly sing for joy to the Lord;

it is fitting for the pure to praise Him. 

Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;

make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.

Sing a new song of praise to Him;

play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.

For the word of the Lord holds true,

and we can trust everything He does.

Praise the Lord. Sing with Joy. Trust. 

Oh how I love those moments when I know it's Him speaking. By faith, I obeyed. 

When I run to enter the venue, It's time to cry. I was so overwhelmed. 

Here's my status in Facebook at that moment: 

                            I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS! I'M IN HILLSONG CONCERT!!! WAAAA LORD!!! IYAKAN NA ITUUU!!!

Here are some of the songs I remembered:

All I need is You

The Stand

Mighty to save

Oceans

Wake 

Alive

One Way 

Here are my favorite moments:

1. Lalo ako napaiyak nung binasa yung Roman 8:38. That's one of my favorite verses because it just secures me na yung pinaka importanteng tao sa buhay ko (who is Jesus) and yung pinaka importanteng bagay (which is His love)  hinding hindi mawawala EVER. :)

2. when we're singing "Shine your Light and let the whole world see..we're singing for the glory of the Risen King!" Everyone made their Light shine that night through our phones. hehe. What a sparkly crowd for Jesus! :)

3. When people prayed the prayer of Salvation! Ang daming nang raise ng Hands! I can imagine the party in Heaven! Whoo! 

4. When they played Oceans!!!!! Taya Smith!!! 'nuff said. Pinakinggan ko lang 'to sa phone 2 Days ago right?! And now I'm here?!

5. When I shouted and prayed for "MORE!!!!!" and "ONE WAY!!!!" HEHE

6. It's like grace every time they would go back  the stage and play again. 

7. when Joel Houston said that he thinks  that night's  crowd was  CRAZIER.

8. When I dance. All out ah. Sa Wake, Alive and of course, ONE WAY! :)  

9. When we prayed for the Philippines!!!!! 

10. Every time I would look in the crowd. Amaze na amaze ako. hahaha! 

20,000 + worshipers.

1 Band.

ONE SAVIOR -  JESUS!!!!

A taste of heaven indeed. 

To end, I just want to add what I read in the Saved News Magazine about Hillsong UNITED:

"But despite achieving massive international success, Hillsong UNITED has always pointed out the true purpose for their music: 

to intimately lead people in worship of our Savior, JESUS CHRIST - the only one who deserves all glory and praise. " 

They definitely led me. :) 

With my ticket and  Saved News Magazine after the concert at home. Mahirap pag walang friend, wala pang camera. Haha. Thanks Jimna for this!