Ka Leo O Hawaii

    One of the things I find most frustrating about celebrities is their narcissistic “Look at me!” attitude. Their self-focus often makes their fans feel insecure, reducing them to a mob of worshipping wannabe’s who pour out their adoration in hopes of being noticed among the throng.

    That’s what I love so much about Christian artists, and in particular Christian concerts. The focus isn’t on the artist, because the “star” of the show is God. There’s nothing quite as powerful as an internationally-acclaimed artist standing in front of thousands of people saying “The focus of tonight is not on me, and it is not on you - it’s on God.”

    Every time Chris Tomlin comes to our humble island to share his music and passion, I’m one of the first in line to buy a ticket. The concerts are a humbling experience, and amazing to watch. I spend half the time watching the expression of love and humility on Chris Tomlin’s face, and the other half watching it reflected in the faces of the crowd, who raise their hands to God, unembarassed and unafraid.

    The passion contained in that room is almost enough to make it burst, and in past years there have been reports from downstairs of the ceiling shaking as hundreds of people jump along with the music.

    Chris Tomlin came to the island for the fourth time this past Friday, April 4, as part of the Hawaiian Island Ministries conference. As he stood in front of a crowd of mostly teenagers, although the age range was very diverse, he began the evening by clarifying that the focus of the evening was on God. He always supports this by encouraging the audience to sing, and even pulling away from the microphone at times to listen to us. He looks out on the crowd with joy in his face, as he sees hundreds of people pouring out their love - not to him, but to God.

    Chris Tomlin is an amazing music writer - because his songs are not only well-written, but easy to learn. It’s easy for the audience to pick up a song they’ve never heard and sing along, which is the point of Chris Tomlin’s concerts. The lyrics are always deep without wasted words, and the melodies are easy to learn, yet interesting.

    Whatever your faith, I encourage you to attend a religious concert of some kind - the experience can be a changng one, and the energy is greater than a rock concert - without the beer and large sweaty guys knocking you over.