10.10.04

Share the Well

Posted in Ponderings at 10:42 pm by Adriene

Jeff and I ventured to scenic Auburn, Alabama on Saturday night to catch one of Jeff’s favorite bands, Caedmon’s Call, in concert. We took with us the ever-entertaining Jamie Pruett, and met up with Geof at an Outback for our fare share of greasy food beforehand.

I’ll admit, I was mostly going for Jeff’s benefit. I mean, after all, the two concerts I want to go to a year usually add up to over $200 per ticket, so a lot of the times, I humor Jeff when he wants to see Band X because the price of tickets for his bands tends to be cheaper. Hence why I think I’ve seen Over the Rhine more than any other band now. But back to my point.

This concert literally blew me away. It’s so unlike anything I’ve seen out of Caedmon’s in the eight years or so that I’ve been aware of their existence. It exceeded any expectations I had as far as what a musical worship experience could be. Mind you, they didn’t (thankfully) have the usual “praise and worship” concert that has become more prevalent amongst Christian musicians today. But it was definitely a worshipful experience if I do say so myself.

The band spent much of the past year touring around the world to places such as India and Ecuador, recording with the locals of those areas and experimenting with more of a “world music” sound. The end result, their album “Share the Well,” is due out this Tuesday. (I can honestly say this is the first time I am waiting with extreme anticipation for a CC album to be released. Luckily for me, the lovely husband has already pre-ordered it. )

In those travels, they spent some time with the Dalit, or the “broken people” of India. These are the people that the Hindu caste system have labeled “untouchable.” The manner in which they are treated on a daily basis can only be described as deplorable. They are often denied an education, and in the rare instances when they are allowed to attend school with the higher castes, they are forced to sit on the floor, dressed in rags, and drink out of clay cups which they must break on the ground after drinking from so that children of the higher castes don’t accidentally drink from them and become “contaminated” as well. They live in slums, and survive in an existence that most of us in America cannot fathom.

Cliff gave a little talk about the Dalit during the concert, and I have to say, his words convicted me. Too often in America, we sit by and allow ourselves to be absorbed into the “Christian bubble” and stay safe there. We often define ourselves as Christians by things we don’t do, as opposed to the things we do, and I don’t believe that’s what Christ taught. However, I, too, have fallen victim to this way of thinking. I sit by and say “well, I don’t drink, smoke, or do anything immoral, so I guess I’m okay.”

But am I?

What am I doing to further Christ’s kingdom on earth? What am I doing to make a difference in the lives of believers and unbelievers alike? Am I helping Christ’s children?

Sadly, the answer I arrive at is “not much.”

After seeing this concert and hearing stories about their experiences abroad sharing God’s word with the Dalit, as well as with people in other places, it is really beginning to hit home with me. I need to do more. I need to “Share the Well.”

The album hits stores this Tuesday. Although I have not heard all of the songs on there, the ones I have do not disappoint. I will definitely be giving it many listens once it arrives in the mail to us. I also encourage everyone to pick it up as well.

Father, forgive me, for I have not believed
like mother India, I’ve groaned and grieved
Father, forgive me, I forgot Your grace
Your Spirit falls on India
and captured me in Your embrace - “Mother India” - Andrew Osenga

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