The Divine Breath

Thank God for the Divine Breath.

In continued celebration of our recent interview with the Violet Burning, I thought I'd discuss this mysterious little "breath of life."

This year, the Violets released an album called The Story of our Lives.

Ohhhhhhhhhh, Man!!!!!!!!

First off, The Story of our Lives is a massive, moving, majestic statement. It's a TRIPLE ALBUM. And, it's a concept album of sorts. Wrap your mind around that first! It's not for the casual listener. It demands some study and introspection. It's the vinyl record in a digital age, where you have to sit down and study and pour over the artwork and lyrics. For folks who appreciate high quality musical endeavors, this album is for you. You can immerse yourself in this project, and allow it to speak to you in a myriad of ways. Like the best concept albums out there, it truly is an experience.

There are moments spread out across this record where you can sense the Divine breathing through Michael Pritzl. I felt it upon the first listen. Little touches. Nudges. Glimpses. It's safe to say that Pritzl was divinely inspired.

Meditating on this work and its themes has been wonderful for me. I've been drawn to it for the past 2 months, drinking from the vast musical well, and it's been tasty. Big themes like beauty, depth and longing are found in abundance in The Story of our Lives. Longing is a powerful emotion expressed through music. Two things that the Violet Burning long for are heart and home. It's evident in all their albums actually, and equally strong here. The main character, who could be me or you, is on a search and a journey. (Being a concept album, there has to be an element of journey). He's looking for meaning, worth and home in the culture and times that he finds himself in. I think the Violet Burning are very close to finding home.

It's kind of a beautiful journey.

Which leads me to the next item of discussion.

The Violet Burning have reinforced a critical and essential goal for any Christian making art:

simply put, to help bring beauty to the ruin.

Often times our lives are this strange mixture of beauty and ruin. We must be making beautiful things that contrast the darkness around us. The best of our creative efforts come when we are compelled to create, being inspired by the Creator himself. If you're an artist, and you sense the breathing upon you, please run with it. Make it your mission and your humble gift to the world. During the making of his culturally significant album What's Going On, Marvin Gaye said, "God's writing this."  Interesting thought, isn't it?

What will God create through you?

You are a living soul. You have the tools. You have access to the Divine Breath…

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
Genesis 2:7