THIS IS WHAT THE SONG “HOLY” BY BIEBER DID FOR ME

People from different backgrounds may not have natural affinity, but when the Word of God is treated right and the Holy Spirit is allowed to engage, it can bring together things, people, backgrounds, histories, races, colors, and cultures and hold them together in a way that natural affinity may not be able to do. — Tony Evans

Has something you’ve seen or heard ever taken you back to a life changing moment? Maybe it was movie, a song or a conversation with someone? Recently for me, it was a song.

Like so many people, growing up in church gave me mostly negative memories. Most of my memories of church are painful or sad. It’s a constant battle of guarding my heart and finding positive memories. It’s easy to only remember the pain. But I like to say, “even when it’s cloudy, the sun is still shining somewhere.” Here’s another cheesy one for you, “you can’t see rainbows looking at the ground.” Right?

Recently, Justin Bieber’s song Holy took me to a beautiful moment at church. A moment I can remember vividly. A transforming moment for me. It went like this.

I was living in Silver Lake (East side of LA) and was going through some self evaluating of my life. I was working in celebrity publicity and partying all the time. I even caught myself at a party becoming “that guy” in LA. The one who is only looking to talk to you if you are cool or if you are somebody important. If you didn’t fit that type, I moved onto the next one.

I remember that night looking in the mirror and telling myself, “Anthony, you weren’t raised this way, you’re not a douche bag, you have a good heart.”

This led me to somehow finding a church near my house. It was called the “Dream Center,” and I heard it was a cool little place. I remember walking in, black hoodie on and sitting in the back row.

I just wanted to sit. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I just wanted to listen.

Whatever was said by the preacher hit me in the heart. When he finished his sermon, he asked if anyone wanted prayer, to come to the front. I immediately walked up. I didn’t care who, or if anyone saw me.

I was crying, like blood shot eyes crying. My shirt was soaked with tears. It was one of those beautiful moments in church for me.

Which brings me to this song by Justin Bieber, Holy.

When I listen to it, it brings me right to that moment.

That moment of desperation.

That moment of being in the streets but trying to get out.

That moment of feeling what Holy felt like to me.

That moment where I felt God had my back.

That moment where love felt like someone holding me.

And to be honest, this is what I pray for more and more. I want to be reminded of the good in the church. The beautiful moments of the gospel. The simple reminder that God ACTUALLY does care about me.

But before we head into our day, I want to challenge you to remember the good. Find those moments of beauty and replay them in your mind and heart. Remind yourself of the desperation you once had.

This is what I’m learning to day. a.

HOLY BY JUSTIN BIEBER

I hear a lot about sinners
Don’t think that I’ll be a saint
But I might go down to the river, uh
’Cause the way that the sky opens up when we touch
Yeah, it’s makin’ me say

That the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
On God
Runnin’ to the altar like a track star
Can’t wait another second
’Cause the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy

I don’t do well with the drama
And no, I can’t stand it bein’ fake
No, no, no, no, no, no-no-no
I don’t believe in nirvana
But the way that we love in the night gave me life
Baby, I can’t explain

That the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
On God
Runnin’ to the altar like a track star
Can’t wait another second
’Cause the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy

They say we’re too young and
The pimps and the players say, “Don’t go crushin’”
Wise men say, “Fools rush in”
But I don’t know (ah-ah, ah, ah)
They say we’re too young and
The pimps and the players say, “Don’t go crushin’”
Wise men say, “Fools rush in”
But I don’t know (Chance the Rapper, ah)

The first step pleases the Father
Might be the hardest to take
But when you come out of the water
I’m a believer, my heart is fleshy
Life is short with a temper like Joe Pesci
They always come and sing your praises, your name is catchy
But they don’t see you how I see you, Parlay and Desi
Cross, Tween, Tween, Hesi’ hit the jet speed
When they get messy, go lefty, like Lionel Messi
Let’s take a trip and get the Vespas or rent a jet-ski
I know the spots that got the best weed, we goin’ next week
I wanna honor, wanna honor you
Bride’s groom, I’m my father’s child
I know when the son takes the first steps, the Father’s proud
If you make it to the water He’ll part the clouds
I know He made you a snack like Oscar Proud
Suffer it to be so now gotta clean it up
Formalize the union in communion He can trust
I know I ain’t leavin’ you like I know He ain’t leavin’ us
I know we believe in God and I know God believes in us

’Cause the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy, holy, holy, holy, holy
On God
Runnin’ to the altar like a track star
Can’t wait another second
On God
Runnin’ to the altar like a track star
Can’t wait another second
On God
Runnin’ to the altar like a track star
Can’t wait another second
’Cause the way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me
Feels so holy