“Can I get a witness?”
Earlier this year, I saw an ad from Nike celebrating LeBron James becoming the all-time NBA leader in points scored.
The ad’s soundtrack included what sounded like a preacher or worship leader talking about God and giving Him the honor and praise He is due. However, if you weren’t just listening to it and you were watching it as well, you’d know the leader wasn’t calling for a witness to the glory of God. He was calling for witnesses to the accomplishments of a man.
For several years, Nike has used the language of “witness” to promote James’ products. At one point, there was a massive banner that covered the side of a skyscraper in downtown Cleveland (where James is from and twice played) which said “We are all witnesses.”
Now, I’m not here to pick a bone with Nike or LeBron. They have a very successful ad campaign on their hands and I’m sure they’ve sold billions worth of shoes, shirts, and hoodies with James’ likeness and their slogans.
However, their creativity is borrowed from a greater source. Not only did their soundtrack borrow from a sermon and time of worship, they borrowed from an ancient label. In the early days of the Church, followers of Jesus are referred to as witnesses.
WATCH NOW: "I've Witnessed It" Official Video
In Acts 1, Jesus tells His closest followers, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere.” In Acts 5, Peter told a group of religious leaders, “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross. Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things.” Finally, in Acts 22, Ananias told Paul, “For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.”
It’s this very pattern that Passion Music has drawn on for one of their newest songs, “I’ve Witnessed It.”
In the chorus, Melodie Malone sings about what it means to be a witness.
“I’ve witnessed Your faithfulness
I’ve seen You breathe life within
So I’ll pour out my praise again
You’re worthy, God you’re worthy of all of it”
When we are a witness (whether it’s to the ability of an athlete, the events of a car accident, or the wedding of two people), we are speaking of what we’ve seen in the past. We’re drawing on our past memories in the present for some future purpose.
In an interview about this song, Passion’s Melodie Malone said, “We don’t often use the word ‘witness’ in our everyday vernacular, and it is my hope that we reinstate a bit of the meaning it carries in this song… We sing to remind our souls of the character of the one we worship and to help resuscitate a faith in desperate need of hope.”
Are you struggling with hope today? Is your soul weary? Then it’s time to remind your soul of who God is and what you’ve seen Him do in your life. You are a witness!
If that’s your story, here’s what that might look like in your life.
First, revisit your salvation story. In the song, Malone sings, “When I was lost and all alone - Your presence was where I found home - You were there.” I’ve found that revisiting the story of God’s faithfulness to save me often renews my faith in the midst of suffering.
Second, consider the journey you’ve had with God more recently. Ponder these lyrics. “In every high and every low - You never left me without hope - You were good and You're good right now.” Meditate on the highs and lows you’ve shared with God and how you experienced His goodness there. God’s goodness has not changed.
RELATED CONTENT: Passion Helps Us Believe in Miracles in "I've Witnessed It"
Third, reflect on how Jesus has shown His love and commitment to you. Open your Bible and re-read Matthew 26-27. As Malone sings, “You left the throne and chose the cross - Laid down Your life to rescue us.” Jesus did that not out of obligation, but willingly.
One of my favorite lines from “I’ve Witnessed It” is “I’ve got stories I’ll live to tell.” That line is the embodiment of the word “martyr.” We often think of martyrs as those who have died for their faith. But, the word doesn’t mean “one who died for their faith.” The word simply means “a witness.” This is the very same word used in Acts 1 where we read about Jesus telling His disciples that they would be His “witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
It’s one thing to witness and applaud the accomplishments of a great athlete, like Nike is inviting us to do. It’s quite another to live to tell the stories of what Jesus has done in our lives - to be a martyr to His name. If you’ve witnessed the movement of God in your life, then remind your soul and encourage others by telling what you know and what you’ve seen.
Who knows how it might strengthen you or save someone else?
Scott Savage is a pastor and a writer with the best last name in the world. Scott’s writing helps you laugh, challenges you to think, and invites you to grow. He leads Cornerstone Church in Prescott, Arizona. Scott is married to Dani, an award-winning attorney, and they are the parents of three growing savages. You can read more of Scott’s writing at scottsavagelive.com.
