So if you know me, you probably know that I am a huge U2 fan. I have loved them since the time I was 8 years old and heard my dad playing their album, The Joshua Tree. When people learn that I love U2 as much as I do (I mean, it kind of borders on obsession, especially for Bono, the lead singer), they generally ask what it is they I love so much about them.
The answer is generally more complicated and longer than most people are prepared for. For a lot of other bands that I listen to, I can just say "I really like their sound, they put on a good show, etc" While these answers can certainly be said for U2, it goes so much further than that.
As I was thinking about what to say in this blog entry, I was thinking about Bill's sermon this past week on stewardship. For those of you who were there (and were paying attention!) Bill talked about what it means for us to be stewards of creation and stewards of the gifts that God has given us. I think that U2 as a band and as individuals are incredible examples of what godly stewardship looks like.
Many people do not realize that every member of the band are Christians. They have all known each other since they were in high school and 3 of the 4 became Christians in their early twenties. Shortly after their conversion they were pressured to either drop their music or only play "Christian music". They seriously considered it, but in the end felt that to do so would be abandoning the gifts that God had given them.
For the past 30 years, U2 has been pursuing excellence in music and has been one of the biggest and most successful bands of all time. The members of the band have also been very active in various humanitarian efforts all over the world. Bono has successfully lobbied countless politicians for aid in Africa to help put an end to diseases like malaria and tb. And The Edge (isn't that such a cool nickname?) is working to restore instruments to musicians who lost them during Katrina. Sure, they wear cool clothes and have vacation houses in the south of France. But the members of U2 are also seeking to use their fame, positions, and power for the benefit of those who have no voice and no power.
While most other bands who have been around as long as U2 might only have 2 of the original members or make albums of significantly lesser quality then their earlier works, U2 has the original 4 members that started the band in the late 70's and spend years on each album.
In early March of this year, they released their latest effort, No Line on the Horizon. In talking about this album with Rolling Stone, the band members were blatant about their faith and how it influences their music. They look at this album, and another one to be released soon as, 'hymns for the future.' The lyrics of many of their songs on the album, especially Magnificent ("I was born to sing for you, I didn't have a choice but to lift you up . . . you and I will magnify the Magnificent") reflect their strong faith. Other songs reflect the reality of the hardships of this life but always contain at least a glimmer of the promise of redemption.
While many Christian artists either shy away from engaging with the world or completely abandon their faith for the glories of earthly fame, U2 has managed to produce excellent music appealing to people of all countries, ages, and religions that still reflects the truths of the gospel.
Their journey has certainly not been without struggle and they are by no means perfect. Yet they freely admit those things and faithfully continue to 'walk on' in this journey that God has called them to.
This summer, All Saints is blessed to have a student ministry intern with us from Slovakia. Her name is Petra Tibenska, and I asked her to write up a short bio about herself. Please read it, get to know her, and make her feel welcome.
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