What would you attempt if you weren’t afraid to fail?
It’s a placard on my managers desk. Every time I walk in his office I stare at for a few seconds and then try to make an honest evaluation of if I’m living by that creed. It was right after we had finished the Winter Jam 2012 tour. Arguably the most successful tour that Building429 had ever been a part of. 48 cities in sold out arena’s all around the country…. And we had the blessing of being on the tour as our song “Where I Belong” began to take the country by storm. Pretty awesome to watch God move like that. Yet, coming off of that tour didn’t feel like we were in a chill mode at all. In fact in the early part of that tour I had already had a few conversations with people about the possibility of us writing for a new record.
I’ve got to be honest… I used to write around the clock… 24/7, 365 days a year. It left me empty… it left me in a place of constantly chasing the next big song. It honestly hurt my ability to focus on my family… it was as frustrating and irritating as someone who keeps updating their twitter/facebook status in the middle of a date. I constantly had to tell myself… “come on Jason, be here, now…. The songs aren’t from you anyway.” Seriously…. I would run to my guitar any time any crazy idea came to mind out of some obligation to capture every thought… often times hushing children who just wanted to be with daddy while I’d try to write out an idea. Then one day I came to the idea that maybe I needed to trust this great God that I was writing songs about with the writing of the songs. That’s when I finally became a real writer. I got rid of all the noise and stopped writing with every Joe Blow songwriter in a frantic and hopeless effort to write the big song, and started writing with just 2 people and ONLY when it was time for Building to record a new record. It was the best decision of my life.
Freedom had come in the form of simplicity.
Faith replaced fear and on our record “Listen to the Sound” God showed me what He could do with my willingness to truth him as a songwriter. That doesn’t mean that I don’t sometimes freak out though. Honestly at the beginning of the newest record my confidence was a bit shaken just by the daunting task of writing a new batch of songs and getting it whittled down to 10 that would be the new record. Song selection is like pouring your heart out on 20 canvasses and then allowing your closest friends fire buck shot at the ones they don’t like until there are 10 left. It’s brutal to say the least because as I say “The writer loves all of his children/song equally”. That’s a weird way of saying that you pour everything you have into every song and you have to be prepared to hear that your amazing thought processes may not actually be that amazing.
So there I was at Gabe’s (my manager) office when he brought it up. “Sooooooo”, he said, “What are you thinking about the next record??” What was I thinking??? I was thinking can’t I have a little more time to enjoy our brand new #1 song?? Haha. That little placard was staring me in the face and I couldn’t help but think….. that’s it…. Whatever THAT is… I want to do that. “What would I attempt to do if I weren’t afraid that I would fail?” What kind of songs would I write. What sounds would we try? How far could we push the envelope while staying true to the form that brought us to this dance? How far could we walk the tight rope???
Then this thought popped in my head. What if we wrote a record about who we are in Christ instead of constantly recounting who we were before?? What if we wrote a record out of confidence in what God’s plans are? What if we stopped cowering because of our weakness and began to stand confidently because of His strength in us?
My mom always said I was born to be a flame…. Maybe she was on to something… maybe… wait… she was right I was born to be a flame… but I want to…. do something bigger…. be a connector, an initiator, be the spark plug that moves the pistons….. I want to… Yeah!!!
Well then I want to light a BONFIRE!
In fact….. I’m gonna light a bonfire!! No, WE’RE GONNA LIGHT ONE TOGETHER!!!
This record is meant to energize the masses. It’s meant to be a bold statement of faith and confidence in a God who isn’t a fable. He isn’t an imaginary figure. He’s not something that we made up to make ourselves feel good about our lives. He’s spent 10 years making us ready for this moment. We we’re meant to lead… so we’re going to… the cost is irrelevent… the truth must go forth. So we’re going to incite a little bravado, a little confidence… maybe start a Holy revolution. That’s the idea and we’d love to invite you to be the Revolution with us. The meek, the mild, the weak, the lonely, the desperate….. that doesn’t begin to describe the 12 people that Jesus surrounded himself with. The disciples were strong, courageous…. outspoken, daring men…. And they got A LOT done for the kingdom. They made mistakes, but they were powerful men of God. We feel that it’s time for this generation to reclaim the banner of courage and remember that our God is able. So with that we introduce the title of our new record:
We Won’t be Shaken
Our new record and in my opinion in represents the pinnacle achievement to date of Building429. We stretched ourselves in ways that felt like natural progressions…. But with new sounds that would’ve been completely foreign on any of our first 4 records. We feel that we’ve brought the best parts of Building429 into this new record whilst leaving some of the extra noise behind. Some will say “Well Jason, I’ve heard you say that before and we’ll just have to wait and see if it’s your best.” I understand your skepticism, but in a career that has stretched longer than anyone thought it would we have never been so supremely confident in God’s plans for Building429 to LEAD. This year will be a banner year for us. I am sure of it, but it will only be that because of what God has done… not us. In fact, there is 1 song on the record that may seem a bit out of place at first, but I encourage you to pay close attention to it. It’s the very last song of the record and it says this:
ALL THE GLORY
Turn my world upside down
Turn it all inside out
You take the least, and make them first
Pour yourself on those who thirst
You use us when we are weak
You use me because I am weak
Its Here I find
You lift me up Just to lift you high
This never was about me
You get all the glory
You get all the glory
If I stand
It’s only that I’m in your hands
It never was about me
You get all the glory
You get all the glory
You’re the author of it all
And so I live to make you known
You take the last, you take the low
You make something beautiful
You use me because I am weak
You’re ways are higher
You’re will above my own
Your glory is greater
You’re story will be told
God wants to turn your world upside down, as He has ours, for His glory. But He can’t do that if don’t consistently lay it all on the line. You can’t be lazy and you can’t be scared. God can do amazing things through people with faith the size of a Mustard Seed. So what will you do?
What WOULD you attempt if you weren’t afraid to fail?
Lead
Run
Believe
Try
Love
Fight
Teach
Learn
What would YOU do??
Wow, thank you so much for sharing this. It was exactly what I needed to hear tonight. Can’t wait to hear the new album!!! God bless! 🙂
Jason,
I remember telling you on last week Friday about how much I love your blogs, this blog is awesome as well. I remember you told me that you were going to be writing another blog soon. Thank you for pouring out your heart to us. I was so glad to see you guys again at Breakforth. Seeing you guys again was my highlight of the weekend. When you remembered my name I felt very special, also when Jesse waved and smiled at me. I used to be afraid to talk with guys because I didn’t like myself at all. Guys used to ignore me, I like myself now. So when you guys remembered me I felt very special. I still struggle with the fear of failure, I never thought that I would become a supervisor at coffee shop, the Lord has brought me to this job. When you sang Revelation Song, it was so powerful. I love when you had us rest in the presence of God. I hope that I will have the chance to see you again some day, I always love seeing you guys. Take care and God bless you, Marjan
Also, I love the words to your new song that you wrote in this blog, I love the new songs you sang on Friday night. There was a time when i wanted to give up on my dreams to sing again, I am not going to give up because the Lord told me that I was born sing. Marjan
Jason,
Another fantastic blog post…if my brain couldn’t shut down earlier, it certainly cant now. So many thoughts running through my head, in a good way! I think that for me, pushing the fear of failing aside is too much to handle sometimes. Now I am a go getter and will get the job done to the best of my ability, but not without the fear of letting someone, myself or even God down. I am OCD/perfectionist or whatever and want things done right the first time. There are so many things I think that I would love to do or feel like Im being called to do, but let fear of failing get in the way so I step back a few steps. Does that desire leave me…NO not usually! And I believe that is God saying…HELLO FELICIA, my child, I want you to do this…so lets get hoppin and trust in me will ya? Im working on that!
Ever since the “We Wont Be Shaken” youtube video was posted from CT, I have listened to it at least 3 times a day and catch myself singing it throughout the day…obsessive NO, listening to what God put in the song for me to use…YES! I have struggles in my life right now and I have come to the conclusion…I will NOT be shaken by things that happen in my life or things that I am afraid of doing…and I will trust in him! I am so thankful that God used you guys to record this song. You know this has to be the most anticipated new album that I have ever wanted…maybe because I was blessed to be a tiny part of it…or maybe because the 6 songs I’ve heard so far are amazing and have me so stoked to hear the rest! Either way, God is using you and the guys for great things and I cant see what else he has in store for your ministry! Many thanks for another blog to wake me up and remember what is important…to trust in God in all things and at ALL times! Jason, many blessings to you and your family! 🙂
Felicia
ps-Good Lord, another book…sorry about that, I’ll work on shortening them…lol! 🙂
Oops should be **cant wait to see what else God has in store for your ministry!** I know it’s huge though! 🙂
That was one of my mother’s favorite quotes. 🙂 Thanks for sharing. I absolutely love all of these blogs you do–they’re empowering as well as motivating.
My mind has already been blown by the 3 new songs I’ve already heard you play live–Get Up, We Won’t Be Shaken, and Bonfire. You guys have come a long way. A LONG WAY. And God brought you here. You guys are a shining example of what God’s power can do…and the legacy you all leave behind will be etched into the hearts and lives of many for years to come. Your obedience and trust in God is inspiring beyond measure, and I can’t wait to see how many more people God will impact this year.
I don’t want to play it safe either. I’m ready to take risks and extreme measures to the glory of God. I may be young…but I’M READY TO LIGHT A BONFIRE!! That being said…I want to be a world-changer.
Whatever will come our way, through fire or pouring rain…we won’t be shaken. Keep running the race, my friend! We’re in this together! Let’s never give up on God, nor underestimate what he can do.
Hey Jason.
I really love your blog. i can’t wait to hear your new songs. I hope you guys are coming to Denmark sometimes soon, because I realy want to hear you live again 🙂 God bless you and your family, and be a great inspiration for Building429.
Love from
Annika Franks
Denmark
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I totally agree with the bumpersticker I have seen before “Real Men love Jesus”. I can’t wait to get your new CD. Love the three new songs you played at FCC in Friendswood in Texas. Your current CD is the only one I listen to in my car. God bless you and all of you guys at Building 429.
You never cease to amaze me jay I remember when you were little and how when I was workin on something I could feel u easing your way up closer to me so you could take over the job at hand. your mother is right YOU WERE BORN TO BE A FLAME. You were born to lead and I have always known that. GOD is going to use you BIG this year and of course b429 and the guys. Again I am amazed at how and the way our Lord is using you but not surprised. You will always be the best in my eyes son. This new album touches the depths of my soul. Thanks for being there. from dad to son You are the MAN BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD. Love you Dad
Dear Mr. Roy, In 2011 , I declared a year of Julibliee, I was not happy every day, but I was Julibant in Jesus Christ. It was an amazing year, all glory to God! But , in December , I forced my 70 year old Father to come to a concert in our small town in Canada ( Barrie). Because God was fulfilling another job he gave me, in bringing Peter Furler to town. My Father had a stroke 5 months before that and is mostly blind, and was not happy to be coming , but did it to support me. He sat at the back with one of my kids, as I was front row Center. While we were blessed by Peter, the reason we were there was to learn from your Son and B429. How Jason can continue to sing when people are sobbing from the power of the music, is a wonder to me. It was before where I belong was number one and we could not keep the cd in stock in the local Christian book store and it was the most requested song within the week as we have a Christian radio station right in our town. The ministry they have had in this area is AMAZING. We have been able to minister to the young and old alike. Belivers and non-, bring them into the Golry of a life with our saviour. As a parent, I know it is a sometimes thankless job, but I am very glad you and your wife are getting to see some fruits of the labour God entrusted you with, and wanted to say “Good Job”. I can’t wait to meet you in person some day when we are all where we belong. God bless your family until then.
Heather Hooymans
Whahooooo! I can’t to get my hands on the New CD. Jason, I have only read your blog twice, this one and the ” six great things about my wife”. Man, what an impact . May God continue to work mightily through you and the rest of the band and crew!!! PS, I soooooo hope to see y’all at Kingdombound. There will be a mighty big BONFIRE at cabin number eight, wheather B 429 is there or not.. That is for sure.
This is a little late. Yeah, we’re in the month of April and the forecast this week is predicting snow! That’s MN for you 🙂
I really liked this post, Jason. You don’t know me–been to winterjam, and also saw you guys in November, with the Newsboys. Awesome show. Love what you guys are doing!
Anyhow, I can’t shake the feeling that God might have song-writing in my future. You may hear that from fans, from time to time. But I tell you, it is burning me up inside. But nothing has come of it yet. I’m sensing that the Lord is trying to take out of me, all the junk, before this might happen. I’ve had a rough go ’round…we all have in one way or another.
I love to write. Been stuck, lately…but it is definitely my release 🙂 I also love worship ministry. I sing, play some keys–my husband plays drums, and is learning guitar. We feel most happy and complete when we’re.playing and singing on the team 🙂 Trying to be brave enough to start playing keys, in church…not quite there yet, but its coming!
I really like what you shared about writing about who we are in Christ. And that your writing process is flowing more smoothly b/c God is leading you. So awesome, so cool. Very encouraging for me!
Thank you so much 🙂