Courageous Endings with Consumed by Fire
The First Step to Beautiful New Beginnings
The most luminous chapters of our lives often begin just after we gather the strength to close the previous ones. Such is the journey of brothers Caleb, Jordan and Josh Ward, of the band Consumed by Fire. They joined us for a conversation where they encouraged us with their own story as they discovered the unexpected beauty that emerges when we dare to step into the unknown.
“Our lives produced it for sure, like the fire we were in and going through,” Jordan said about a song that emerged not just from talent, but from the crucible of trial. Amid the shadow of their father’s massive stroke in 2019, the brothers found themselves in a season where life’s melody seemed muted.
Caleb shared, “We were on pause for so many years, and you didn’t hear from Consumed by Fire. All the years that it felt like it was, What in the world is going on in our lives? and now we’re watching God sort of rewind the time in our lives and restore those years back to us.”
Hospitals became their unwelcome refuge, and the pandemic further isolated them from the world they knew. Yet, it was in this crucible of pain and uncertainty that a song was born—crafted in less than an hour, a vibrant witness to God’s faithfulness to His promises, plans and purposes.
The Moment of Surrender
It was a time when “Consumed by Fire was done. Like in our hearts, we know that this isn’t going to happen anymore. … It added downward spiral that we were in,” Jordan continues.
“We were so focused on being there for Dad and the feeling that we didn’t have time,” Josh told us.
The band, their dreams, seemed to be fading into the rearview mirror of life’s journey. This surrender, though, wasn’t an end but a beginning. For it’s in our most profound moments of letting go that we often find a new direction.
Rediscovering Purpose in Pain
The creation of “First Things First” marked a pivot – the song, personal and poignant, became a heart’s prayer for the brothers. It was their anthem of surrender, of trust in a plan far beyond their comprehension. “It’s sort of cool how God works that way though, right?” Jordan reflected.
It’s in our surrender that we often find our true purpose, painted not in the colors we might choose but in hues far more vibrant and alive.
The Counterintuitive Path to Peace
The journey of faith is often counterintuitive. “It’s so counterintuitive,” they echoed, speaking to the heart of their spiritual walk. The very act of surrender – of releasing our tight grip on life’s reins – can lead to the peace and clarity we long for.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:25, “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Consumed by Fire’s story is a modern reflection of this timeless truth. Their willingness to let go, to write even when it felt like the end, brought forth not only beautiful music but also a deeper sense of calling and faith.
Walking in Faith and Surrender
So, what does this mean for you? Perhaps it’s a call to embrace your moments of uncertainty, to find strength in surrender, and to trust in the journey even when the destination is unknown.
Here are a few steps to help you get started:
- Reflect on what you’re holding onto that you might need to release for new growth to occur.
- Spend time in prayer and meditation, asking God to reveal His plans for you and to grant you the courage to follow them.
- Seek community support, much like the Ward brothers did, leaning on one another through their trials.
Remember that sometimes, the most beautiful chapters of our lives begin only after we’ve had the courage to let the previous ones end. And in this space of surrender, you’ll find new melodies of faith, hope, and love waiting to be discovered.
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