Why I Love Casting Crowns

I absolutely love Casting Crowns. If I were to pick a favorite artist I would have to say hands down they are my favorite. And I believe the reason why is because so many of their songs have struck me powerfully at a very needed time in my life. The first song I ever heard from them was “I will praise You in The Storm.” Goodness, I remember it so well. It was during my last ‘stormy’ semester of college, early October, I sat upon my bed one night and listened to the powerful words of this song, the imagery it provoked will never be forgotten—

“And I'll praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands,

for You are who You are no matter where I am;

and every tear I've cried You hold in your hand

You never left my side and though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm”

And after I listened to it, I couldn’t stop crying. I felt God was so powerful in that moment, and I was so weak. What would I do without him?

Then another of Casting Crown’s songs came to my attention. It came at the absolutely perfect time. It was later, in this past spring where confusion and fear griped me in nearly constant distress. I felt lost inside my head, listening to so many voices I could not distinguish between the voices of Satan, the voice of God, and even my own voice. I felt so afraid to step out of the boat, so engulfed by the waves of doubt. I then listened to “The Voice of Truth.”

"But the voice of truth tells me a different story
the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth.”

After listening to this beautiful song, I couldn’t stop crying. I felt God’s voice was so clear and strong in that very moment. And I was so fearful and weak. What would I do without him?

Just a several weeks back, at the close of this past school semester I heard another one of Casting Crown’s songs. This one always strikes my heart so deeply and poignantly because I seem to absorb the hurt felt by those who are tragically alone, hurting, and lost. When I listened to “Does Anybody Hear Her?” I was instantly reminded of all the lonely people of the world. Does anybody know how dark and forsaken a heart without God can feel? In the same thought, I recalled with shame many girls in the past who I had hated for their behavior or how I felt bitter toward them as they stole away from me the boy of my affection. I remember my jealousy and my secret triumph when they got what their ungodly actions merited. How awful of me. Now, all I feel is sadness toward them, anger toward my pride, and a desire to reach out and save these lost, hurting people.

 If judgment looms under every steeple, if lofty glances from lofty people
Can't see past her scarlet letter and we've never even met her.

Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?
Or does anybody even know she's going down today
Under the shadow of our steeple, with all the lost and lonely people
Searching for the hope that's tucked away in you and me
Does anybody hear her? Can anybody see?

After listening to this tragic song, I couldn’t stop crying. How much time I had wasted being bitter toward those who needed God more than anyone else. I felt that God was so compassionate, so loving. And I was so prideful and fearful and weak. What would I do without him?

I thank him for bringing such an amazing group of artist’s to my attention. I absolutely love Casting Crowns. They always remind me so powerfully of God. And, goodness, what would we do without him?