NYC.
“I’d like to repeat the advice I gave you before, in that I think you real should make a radical change in your lifestyle and begin to boldly do things which you may previously never have thought of doing, or been too hesitant to attempt. So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future. The very basic core of a man’s living spirit is his passion for adventure. The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun. If you want to get more out of life, […] you must lose your inclination for monotonous security and adopt a helter-skelter style of life that will at first appear to you to be crazy. But once you become accustomed to such a life you will see its full meaning and its incredible beauty.”
-Alexander Supertramp, 1992.
Live your life. Be brave. This passage resonates with my soul, stirring affection to not reside within the status quo but pursue life in a way than defies the normal customs of capitalistic American ideals. It encourages me to go on the World Race, to be brave. My English high school teacher told me that a hero isn’t someone who doesn’t feel fear, that is an idiot. A hero is courageous. To have courage was to do something despite fear of the consequences. Not allowing that fear to cripple you. Take that step. Be an example and inspire others…
On the second New Jersey show, there was a debate whether or not to play. There wouldn’t be that many people there and the next day was a long drive to Georgia. Butz chimed in with the fact that years from now we won’t remember the pay, or how many people were there/changed, we will just remember having the time of our lives and playing rock ’n’ roll while spreading the Gospel. Everyone cheered up and we went to one of my favorite nights of the tour. Not many people were there, but there were a lot of proud and obedient fans of MOTS that drove out to see them. The Lord all tour had provided a meal every day and that day while we were going to grab food one of them bought a nice Columbian meal for all of us and taught us the traditions of the origin of the food. It was quite the humbling experience, thanks again Paul! Paul and his friends talked to us about how MOTS has impacted his life and how encouraged he has been because of the music he loves and listens to.
Whenever we were in Georgia, Casey from Route 3 (my old route) and Terin James showed up to support the band and see their friends. It was super encouraging to have folks from other routes love one another and show support!
This man is a fierce man of the Lord is named Logan. Logan plays in a ministry-focused heavy metal band from Tennessee. During their set, he spoke of his struggles with depression, anxiety, pornography, women, and idolatry. Overall suffering from running away from the Lord’s goodness, running from the Creator to created things to sustain life (which it can never do). This is all of our story and something that struck my heart was how honest this man was, to the point of tears during their set. A grown man, soaked in sweat wearing all black in a roomful of peers, a roomful of bands he looks up to, with feedback and the buzz from all the amplifiers ringing high in the air, this grown man poured his heart out in honesty to everyone there. His fearlessness was convicting and a quality that I’m inspired to chase after.
Whenever we were in Mississippi we spent the day with other racers from Route 4, Laura and Margot! They had never been to a heavy metal show and were blown away by the passion and tenacity of the performers. Mr. Ficken, Laura’s father, spoke to us while enjoying sweetened tea about the heart behind serving. How it doesn’t matter what people see us as, we are being obedient to the Lord and fulfilling those needs he has put in others hearts, lives and stories. Oh how encouraging he was! Ranting truths about being a good man, loving others well, being quick to forgive and quick to admit our faults and wrongdoings before others.
During their set that evening I saw something happen that I never have before. It isn’t seldom for heckling to happen during a show. In 2009 in a rural Oklahoma town at a church I was speaking during a hardcore set and the microphone was pulled away from me after someone persistently asked me to stop speaking (another band, not the venue owners or promoter of the show). During the message I was giving I was talking about the depravity of man, which was quickly followed by people hurtling insults and curses at me until the microphone was pulled away from me. Worse has happened to others, I don’t ever want to sound like I’m not aware of that. However, it does still shock when that happens. We aren’t in a welcoming environment. In Penscaola, Florida a few days ago there was a drunk from the bar screaming GOD DAMN whenever Josiah was speaking… over and over.
At this show in Mississippi some youngster from another band yelled during Josiah’s message something along the lines of less talk, more rock. It wasn’t as elegant and probably more colorful language than that but what he was communicating was that regardless. Josiah stopped the kid and replied, “No.” The crowd went silent, everyone held their breath. Bands never respond to hecklers. What was going on? Josiah explained in a strong, yet loving boldness that everyone has a message to deliver. Whether it be spreading hope, the straight-edge movement, the Easter Bunny, or the Gospel, everyone had a story and whenever they speak we listen. Whenever Josiah is on stage and speaking, he has the right to be heard without interruption. People applauded and the boy went silent. It was really quite the sight to see.
After we returned, I fly out to Portland to watch my friend John compete in the Ironman competition in Seattle, WA. He finished it and I am very proud of him. The Tuckers have been there for me through thick and thin, hearing me be a broken record about girl problems over the years, about struggles with x, y, and z, they have done nothing but opened their hearts to me and been some of the best friends I’ve had. I’m very thankful to have spent the week with them and have them pour into me.
I’m hungry, often tired, and haven’t seen home in three weeks… yet, my spirit is soaring.
For the last three weeks I have been on the road, to keep myself busy and see friends before I leave out for this adventure called the World Race. I’ve been through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, Washington and Oregon. Coast to Coast.
Taking this trip has left me jubilant. I am rested and focused on my goals and missions, ready to go into the wild of the world, go into the unknown, into the storm and experience one of the most challenging experiences I have yet to face.
Let’s do this.
I leave for the World Race in 10 days.
And so it begins.
“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”
-J
Follow me on instagram @texasfornever
