Unleashing Hope
Austin French’s Music Ignites the Power to Rise Up
In a world filled with noise and distraction, it’s easy to lose sight of the clarity that comes from hearing God’s voice. But as Christian contemporary artist, Austin French reminds us in a conversation with Family Life Radio, sometimes God’s message comes through loud and clear.
When Austin talks about his song “Wake Up Sleeper,” you hear his passion to share the powerful call to all of us to awaken to new life in Christ. He traces the origins of this song back to a sermon he preached at his church, inspired by the biblical story of Jesus interrupting a funeral procession to bring new life to a dead boy.
“Jesus is still interrupting our lives today,” Austin declares. “He’s still saying, ‘Wake up sleeper, I want to give you new life.'”
When have you experienced moments of clarity, where you sensed God’s presence and heard His voice speaking to you? God still speaks to His people today. In John 10:27, Jesus assures us, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (ESV).
Just as Jesus called the dead boy to rise, He calls each of us to awaken to new life in Him.
But awakening to new life isn’t just a one-time event, it’s an ongoing process of transformation.
Austin shares, “If you ask me why I do what I do, it’s because I believe Jesus is interrupting funerals today. Sin has us dead, separated, gone in a coffin to be buried outside of town. But Jesus loves us enough to stop us, put His hand on our life, take everything unclean about ourselves, take it upon Himself. And then [Jesus] says the words ‘Wake up, sleeper and I will give you life.’” Austin testifies “I’m living proof that He’s done that.”
You may have experienced the transformative power of Christ in your own life. Perhaps you’ve felt the weight of sin lifted from your shoulders, or the chains of addiction broken. Whatever your story, know that God is continually at work in you, shaping you into the person He created you to be.
As you journey deeper into faith, it’s important to let go of the past and embrace the new life that Christ offers. “Leave your past out the door,” Austin’s lyrics urge us.
It’s easy to dwell on past mistakes and regrets, but God offers forgiveness and redemption. In Philippians 3:13-14, the apostle Paul writes, “But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (ESV). Let go of the past and press forward toward the new life that awaits you.
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