An enjoyable hobby of mine is to lay back, relax, and enjoy my favorite Christian songs. An evening a couple months back, I had the opportunity to do so — but this opportunity was unique. I opened up Spotify, laid back on the couch, and closed my eyes. I confess, I’m still a fan of Christian music from the 2000s and 2010s. It’s out of personal preference. When I woke up, I was surprised at a new song that wasn’t in my playlist. It’s possible I had forgot to turn off the ‘shuffle’ option. As I listened , I mistook it to be some secular band I had never heard. The lyrics and song tonality was one I didn’t expect from a Christian band. It was new. I replayed the song and closely listened to the lyrics. It was a song that promoted Christian principles, so I listened again. I then investigated on who this new band was.
Once upon a time,
I was living out my days.
I was trying to get a rope,
and just rope in all the plays.
Tal and Acacia are two Christian artists who had been in the singing business for around ten years. They began their careers in 2009 in Portland, Maine. They would eventually sign with the record label known as Essential Records. I’m sure many of you are familiar with Essential Records, as they are among the biggest of record labels within Christian contemporary music. Their roster of artists includes big names such as Casting Crowns, Matthew West, Matt Maher, KB, and others. They’ve worked with other big names such as Fireflight, Third Day, Tenth Avenue North, and Bebo Norman. Among those they signed include the sister duo known as Tal and Acacia.
Oh, lovely child find joy to be,
Oh, just a child and you will see,
Heaven’s eyes are on you,
Believe in me.
Their first album (called “Wake Me”) has the typical tone of a Christian album. Each song has a positive note. The hit song of this album was titled Clearview. It got the public’s attention and helped Tal and Acacia be put on the map of the music industry. Their song Clearview has an important message in prioritizing God and seeking His divine guidance. Other big hits in the album include songs like Yahweh, Garbage In, and Top Priority. Tal and Acacia’s songwriting talent made them an opportunity to tour with a band known as Superchick — who at that time was at the pinnacle of their career.
Despite the album’s success, Tal and Acacia would change their approach to music. They would continue writing about God’s message, but it would have a change in tone. To this day, it’s still unknown why they would do such. But it was a decision that they made nonetheless.
I’m feeling a change,
all the wounds that I suffered.
All of the tears,
and the pain that I covered.
It’s ironic to say the Millennial Spark’s message is hidden in the dark — figuratively in both tone of the content and a hidden audience. It’s not a mainstream topic. Far from it. But there is still a desire, nonetheless. It still shocks me to know the number who seek this type of content — yet choose to remain anonymous. As co-founder of this ministry, I am very curious about this. In fact, I’m trying to find a way around this desire for anonymity. Perhaps our hidden audience doesn’t want to publicize their full vulnerabilities and discomforts to the public. That would make sense to me. I say that not in the sense of hiding scars, but rather in the sense of not desiring to post it on Facebook. It makes sense if you consider other things such as hidden conversations between client and therapist. After all, there is a reason for the HIPAA privacy rule. In realizing this, I’m trying to find a way around it and promote a more open community for our followers. By all means, please let me know what you think about it. As a co-founder, I’m eager to hear your opinion.
But let us get back to discussing Tal and Acacia. At this point, they ultimately decided to change the tone in their music. Their second album was called “Black and White.” Thus, the sister duo got the attention of my brother and I.
I keep on breathing,
But I don’t know why.
And time keeps telling me,
“Why even try?”
The biggest hit on their second album is the biggest song of their career. It’s about praising God in trials, finding God’s love amid rejection, and finding direction in times of chaos. It was the song that caught my attention — and it’s a song that I wish to present to you. The second album titled “Black and White” was the unexpected image of how a sister duo was expressing their Christian faith. And if you want to express your faith like Tal and Acacia, you would do so with your hands raised and praising God. It’s about giving up everything within yourself for the trust in God’s goodness. It’s about hearing answers from God — even if we don’t like those answers.
Saying all that, we all have our own ways to express our love for God. We are all unique and precious in God’s sight. If I may say, my challenge to you is to take the lessons of how others express their faith to make them your own. You are unique as your signature. Remember: You do in fact have the ability and strength to find your God-given uniqueness. I pray that you realize that.
I appreciate each and every one of you. May God bless you on whatever journey lies ahead.
I throw up my hands ‘cause I know that you’re better,
Give up my heart; this is my true surrender,
All of my guards, all the fears, all the faking,
I give to you.
