Happy New Year.
As I look back on 2024, my first year working on Rejoice In Our Suffering proper, I marvel at how far its come in such a short period of time. Though the first demo was released at the end of 2023, it wasn't until the third demo was released in August of 2024 that I really started focusing on the project as something more than a little side project.
I'm very glad I did. Almost immediately upon making the decision to really focus more on my Christ-focused project did the emails, questions, and blessings start coming forth. For a project that I don't consider a ministry, and that is focused on the darker aspects of Christian life, I'm completely floored by how positive the response has been. I'm glad someone's listening, but I'm even happier that it's helping someone. It has given me the opportunity to not necessarily preach or guide these people to Christ, but certainly to share my experiences with churches and the community at large. The supportive responses and shared experiences from others, from oceans away at times (South Africa, Russia...) has reminded me that others experience spiritual trauma and joy in similar and different ways no matter where they're at, and still find their way back to God or stay with God. Is that a win?
I'm very open about my personal experience with mental illness and my struggles as a Christian with sin, and one person told me it helped them gain perspective about their own experience and helped strengthen their resolve. That's good! It's very easy to fall away or to unwittingly fall prey to doubts and the work of satan in our journey. It makes it harder, but not impossible. Perhaps directly engaging with the more difficult parts of this journey makes it more relatable, but I flatter myself and turn my project into a false idol if I believe that I have anything to do with the good that takes place as a result. That's all thanks to God. I'm just happy that it's being used to reach someone, no matter where they're at geographically or spiritually.
My favorite part about the people I've heard from is that there's such a huge mix of denominations. I haven't asked, but some have offered this information up, just to share where they're coming from. Though I would be considered a very controversial Christian and an extremely controversial Pentecostal, it is how I identify. The denominational separations have not been relevant, ultimately, in my conversations with others. Simply put, we're moving our way up the same mountain to try and lead a Christ-like life. In this way it is my best experience in fellowship with other Christians thus far. The disagreements have been polite, and shown me different perspectives or ways to read scriptures. I'm a more open and thoughtful Christian as a direct result and it was not a broadening of depth that I thought I needed. This supports my assertion that God speaks to us in myriad ways, and using unexpected sources. Me, you, and everybody else in one way or another. Despite mental illness or crushing doubt, there is a depth of beauty to this experience that enriches my life - both prayer and day-to-day.
I sincerely thank everyone for the emails, whether you agree or don't, the well wishing, the promotion, or even just listening. In particular, thank you to Unblack Archives/Nocturnal Iridescence, The Christian Metal Realm Forums, Caleb from Eunagelion, Alex, Andras, Roger, Harley, Thomas... without the support I would not have made anything past the third demo.
Personally, I look forward to 2025, and hope that I continue to hear from others.
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