During my time on the World Race, I was a Story Leader for R squad. It was the opportunity of a lifetime for me and a position that I loved. I also stepped into the world of making videos on the Race. I had wanted to get into making videos before the Race, but I did not know how to start doing it. Long story short, I just jumped in, and I loved it. During month 10, I had an idea to create a video that focused on the story of R squad. Show, don’t tell. After much time and effort, the final version of the video is now ready to be presented! YAY! I showed a mostly finished version to my squad at final debrief and they absolutely loved it. I’m so excited to share it with the rest of the world!
NOTE: There is one part of the video that I want to address. The second verse of the third song says: All your curses will surrender, every damning word will kneel, they’re just mountains, mountains about to turn into fields.
“OHMYGOODNESS, did SUSAN, the girl who doesn’t say bad words, just use a song with profanity in it?”
Yes and no. 😉
If I knew that this video would only be seen by adults, I wouldn’t feel the need to address this. However, I know that there are children/youth who WILL watch this. I fully understand the depth of my influence as a World Race alumni. People literally the world over have looked to me to show Christ to others; I’m expected to be the light of Jesus at all times. Even outside of the World Race, I understand the power of the influence that I carry, everywhere I go. I know how children and youth are quite impressionable. I don’t want this video to be justification for them to use inappropriate or hurtful language.
However, I decided to keep this song in the video, even after wrestling with it, because while it uses strong language, I have never heard a “profane” word used more correctly than in this song. “Every damning word” really means “every condemning word.” Let’s expand the context a little bit more. “Every condemning word will kneel.” What does that actually mean? My first thought was Isaiah 54:17, which says, “No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me.” I then thought of Romans 8:1-2, which says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” These two parts of Scripture both explain how condemnation is not from Jesus. Jesus didn’t come to Earth to condemn, but rather, to set free. Yet as followers of Jesus, we all have an enemy who will do whatever it takes to separate us from Jesus, including condemning us for being human and being unable to be perfect. Let me show you an example from my life. I used to struggle with believing that I was not good enough. If that had just been one thought, I could have disregarded it. But it wasn’t just one thought. It was a barrage of condemning words and twisted thoughts from Satan. On my own, I couldn’t be set free from this mindset. It was an impossible mountain to climb. But with Jesus, nothing is impossible. With Jesus, there is no condemnation; through His authority, I am able to refute every tongue that accuses me. The Lordship of Jesus commands that truth prevails, not lies. When a haughty lie is brought to and submitted to Jesus’ authority, that lie has no option but to kneel before Him. When condemning words are no longer mountains to conquer, they are laid as low as a field. Even though this song does not mention Jesus by name, it is still a song that tells the story of Jesus bringing His freedom to the world.
Parents of young children, older children, and youth: If you do not want your kids to watch this movie because of one phrase, the decision is up to you (and I respect your decision). I did wrestle with this song choice, but decided not to shy away from strong language. If you want to discuss this further, please email me personally. I would be glad to expand on what I wrote about this decision. I reserve the right to take down any mean comments (not that I’m expecting them, but in this day and age, you never know).
Whew.
Without further ado, here is the story of 3rd generation R squad!
Quick shout out to everyone who has influenced me in the realm of videography. I have learned because of your example and now have a new passion through which I can serve Jesus. 🙂
