We still don’t know who they are, the people who broke into our recording studio a few weeks ago. They were in such a rush, franticly grabbing whatever they could before bolting out the busted front door. We could see the chaos clearly: the snatching, the grabbing, the way they overlooked items we were sure they would have stolen. Because at the critical moment you have to grab onto something, something to make it all worthwhile.
It’s been a nearly two weeks since the robbery, and people keep asking if we’re okay. We were out running errands at the time, so we aren’t hurt and are doing well. However, we lost several of our best and most beautiful guitars, and even more devastatingly, we lost an entire month’s worth of work and recording for the new album. It was a bit of a kick in the stomach to realize it was all gone. Just like that.
There was nothing to be done except start again, so we did. We couldn’t have done these past two weeks without all the prayer and support we received. Although losing most of our new album recordings wasn’t in our plan, God has made something beautiful out of the mess. We were forced to rely on Him for strength, perseverance, and creativity and that’s been no bad thing.
It’s hard to say this without it sounding cheesy and cliché, but at the end of the day stuff is just stuff. Our lives are going on just fine without the things we’re missing. Of course there are sentimental things that can never be replaced, but we keep them in our hearts. And while our first reaction was to call Batman to dole out revenge and retribution, we’re grateful our God isn’t a god of revenge. He is still in control.
As we process these events, we can’t help but ask the question: what do we reach for at the critical moment? What is going to make all the difficulty worthwhile if we hold onto it? When we’re frantic, scrambling for ground, what will save us?
There was nothing the thieves could touch that would have been of any true worth. Instruments can be replaced, we probably needed a new laptop anyway, homes can be rebuilt, but what we cling to can never be shaken. Our real treasure isn’t something that can fit in the back of a car.
Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21 NIV)
We’re given this world to hold onto lightly. We cup our hands to steward the gifts we’ve been given, and when they’re taken we know our hands aren’t really empty. As we consider the people who raided our home, our hearts long to fill their frantic grabbing hands with lasting treasure. We wish we could hand them the things that can’t be taken, joy that isn’t of this world.
As a band family we’ve come out closer and stronger through this experience. We’ve rallied, prayed for one another and together championed through the late nights, long days and of course celebrated with fish and chips when the recording was all over.
Thank you for being a part of the family through your prayers and support. We needed all the help we could get to finish the recordings in time. God has this album and its message in His hands. Ultimately its His heart, not ours, reaching out through these new songs. We’ve felt led by Him in such a strong way during this writing process, and we pray this new record does justice to the words He’s placed on our hearts. Like always, even though we were afraid he wouldn’t, God provided in beautiful ways during the creation of this new record. We can’t wait to share it with you.
We invite you to join us in prayer for all the empty, desperate hands in this world that are reaching for things, anything to bring purpose. There’s no hope without Jesus to fill our hands and our hearts. And so we pray to find ways to tangibly be and the hope Jesus brings.
We are the His church, and we are the hope on earth.