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Without looking downWITHOUT LOOKING DOWN Well. God sends encouragement to us in some strange forms, doesn't he? The review copy of Without Looking Down being a good example. Mitch McVicker is largely described in the American CCM press as a 'folk rocker'. It's a fair description. Although his voice is difficult to place: at moments it sounds very folk-rock, the next you wonder whether it would be more suited to the mainstream punk of bands like Blink 182. The production brings out quite a simple sound - don't go expecting the immensity you'd find on a Third Day album. This may mean something to you or not. Don't worry, that's not the important bit. Without Looking Down is an album about faith in our faithful God. Mitch himself comments: 'I'm trying to focus on my flight towards God without looking down at my doubts and fears. We all have these doubts and fears and we tend to focus too much on them. I want to not look down, but instead look towards my God.' The lyrics of songs like 'Take the Wheel' and 'Midnight in Madison' present a challenge of trusting with our whole lives, no matter what we are feeling. The song and single 'Stargazer' takes up the theme of Matthew 5.8: 'blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God'. It talks about someone who looks for the good all around them, finds it and lets their attention be directed back towards the Giver of good. That too is a challenge in these days of cynicism. This cd arrived on my doormat just when I was contemplating questions of trusting God's love for me. It spurred me on to trust my heavenly Father more, in spite of my doubts and struggles. I praise him for it! Carruthers© Evangelicals Now - January 2003 |