This is Worship Part 2

David on drums, Josh on vox standing on drums, and
Wolf on bass, at El Corazon.
photo by Kaylin Roback, October 2010

When you live in a world that caters to and fosters self image, self improvement, self gain, self expression, self loathing, self indulgence, and self preservation, it's not often you run across a group of people completely disenchanted with their "selfs".The Chariot is such a group.As I mentioned in This is Worship Part 1 (http://olyacts.blogspot.com/2011/10/this-is-worship-part-i.html), there are two reasons I'm especially fond of The Chariot. The first, as previously described, was their huge capacity to worship God no matter where they are or who they're with. The second, is this: they're genuine.

A fanged skull is a prominent symbol on much of the band's merch. It seems like a dark image for a band who's message is so filled with light. Jeremiah and I discussed the possible meanings of the skull for months before realizing we could simply go to the source for an answer.

He sent Stephen (pictured below), a facebook message with our question, and a day or two later received a response. The skull, as Stephen explained, represents death to self and living fulfilled through Christ. Wow. "Duh!" we both said. Death to self. This is profound humility. This is finding God, the infinite source of love, realizing His love is greater than anything you could hope to do or be, and surrendering your life to Him.

Every encounter I've had with members of The Chariot thus far has convinced me that Stephen wasn't relaying empty words, but words the band lives by.They've found that living instead of preaching their beliefs works better for them. Their lives reflect their hearts, and their music gives their hearts a voice.

Before the first show we ever saw them perform was at El Corazon about a year ago. Jeremiah wrote the band a letter and gave it to Stephen outside the venue. He told them about the impact their music had on him, explained exactly what he felt their music was about, and encouraged them to keep letting God guide them so awesomely. At the end of it, he wrote down his phone number and said "If you ever need encouragement, give me a call." This was before we'd ever talked or prayed with them, and I remember Jeremiah being slightly nervous that they'd read it and laugh; that he completely misinterpreted them and they were just another thrash band with nothing to say.

Guitarist Stephen Harrison at El Corazon during
our first The Chariot experience.
photo by: Kaylin Roback, October 2010  

After the first and second shows we saw at El Corazon, we had awesome conversations and prayer sessions with the guys in The Chariot. Hoping the same would happen this time, we took off outside after the band's set where we knew they'd be loading their equipment (Yes. We did happen to see them unloading before the show. And yes. We took note.).We helped them load up and chatted for several minutes until it started raining, at which point Josh, the band's vocalist, suggested as many as possible squeeze into the equipment trailer to stay dry. More than just our group had joined in the conversation at this point, and by the time a prayer was suggested there were probably twenty people huddled together.

We closed the prayer and continued to chat until Josh asked about good, cheap food nearby. Kaylin and I were cold and assumed the band was getting ready to roll out, so we sent them off with hugs and went back inside. During this time, Jeremiah got to talk to Wolf, the band's bassist, and Stephen, who plays guitar. "That name!" Wolf said. His hands pressed flat to his forehead as the realization formed in him. "You said it before and I knew it was familiar. You're the guy who gave us the note! Is that still in the van?" he asked Stephen.

"If it's not in the van, it's in my room," Stephen said. "I sent a text to that number but I never got a response." Jeremiah's hands slammed to his forehead as it was his turn for a realization to strike. He explained that he's gone extended periods with a missing phone, had at least one phone replaced, and recently changed his number.

Bassist Wolf (AKA Jon Kindler) at El Corazon.
photo by Kaylin Roback, October 2010

Jeremiah hung around until Stephen and Wolf were ready to go eat. They began walking and Jeremiah started to say goodbye. "Wait," Stephen said. "Aren't you coming?" They waited while Jeremiah grabbed me and anyone else willing to miss Comeback Kid to tag along, and we set off for a Mexican restaurant up the road. Josh and Wolf spent over an hour eating and chatting with us. We bombarded them with our curiosity and they answered with earnest patience. I left after 40 minutes or so to make sure our friends could find us if the show ended. Jeremiah and his friends Jared, James, Brian, and a few others stayed behind. The conversation continued for at least another 40 minutes.

When your motivation and focus moves beyond yourself, you can begin to live and create without the restrictions of pride. That's what The Chariot has done, both individually and collectively. They've embraced humility in its truest form. I don't mean blindly catering to the will of others, as I often see humility attempted. Rather, recognizing the limitations of self and relying on God for fulfillment. I'm convinced you can tell whether a person or group is genuinely humble, genuinely living according to their faith, two ways. Both by the imprint they leave in the lives of others, and the imprint they allow others to leave in their lives.

Stephen making creative use of
his guitar at Neumos.

photos by Kaylin Roback, Sept 26

Jeremiah's letter is a singular though not isolated example of the latter. During the time the guys spent in conversation after I left the Mexican restaurant, an example of the former was brought to light. Jared came with us the first time we saw The Chariot. Before the show started, we prayed with Wolf in the crowd. After the show, we prayed with the vocalist, Josh. Jared, a "non-believer" (for lack of a better descriptor) at the time, joined us to pray each time. After it was all over, he, Jeremiah, and Brian drove back to Wenatchee where they then lived. On their way, Jared asked "Do you guys know what you're going to say before you pray?" Brian and Jeremiah said no, and explained how they go about talking to God. "Cool," Jared replied. "Mind if I try?"

Josh screams "My brain is fixed!" from the song "The City"
At Neumos.
photo by: Kaylin Roback, Sept 26

While eating with Stephen and Wolf, Jared had a chance to tell them about his past experience with church. He explained why he'd stopped attending and basically gave up on Christianity because his encounters with Christians had been overall very negative. He shared how the first show we went to changed his perspective, and how he prayed in the car  afterward. In return, Wolf offered Jared his testimony which, according to Jeremiah, was the mirror image of Jared's.

Stay tuned for Part 3, which will wrap things up. After expanding on things, that is.