The fresh air is turning into a gentle crispness just before it starts getting chilly in Pennsylvania; I think my plants are ready to come inside too. I do enjoy this part of the chilly season when you can comfortably dress with layers like cardigans and jackets. We’ve got time for maybe one last campfire in the backyard before we have to prepare for winter. I’ve always enjoyed campfires and bonfires and what they bring; great times sharing stories and laughs with friends, treats like smores and hot cocoa, and of course, dodging the billowing cloud of smoke from the firepit which usually makes it rounds to greet everyone. Campfires, like music, bring people together for a great time, and they have for a long time, and that’s what I love to do too.
Last month I released a music video for a song of mine called, “Extinguished”, on YouTube. The story being told within the music video is of a lumberjack who set out during the day to collect wood to be chopped for a fire. The fire symbolizes the inspiration that keeps us going; whether it’s love or another form of inspiration, it’s all God given. Even though the video is focused around the building of the fire at the apex of the video, the video shows the journey of the process before the fire is built; which is what life is about, the journey.
“I’m having God conversation with a voice from behind the constellations
He know I’m eager but the more that I itch, it seem the longer I’m waiting
For the answer, my revelation,
But I think Hе’s gonna answer through other means”
The lyrics of the song tell a similar story about a journey and being unsure where we are on that path, and even being worried that it may be the end, or curtain call, a term used for the end of a theater performance. It’s when we lose focus by focusing too much on the destination that we tend to miss parts of the journey. Another example of this is the want for instant gratification. Sometimes when people turn to God, we expect an immediate response for some things when in all actuality it might take more work on our part than we would like; or maybe our response even comes from an unexpected angle. God has always worked in mysterious ways. When I get too wrapped up in wondering what may come, I try to remind myself to keep moving forward in the present. That’s the best way to make the best outcome for later on. I recall Pastor Drew mentioning on Reformation Sunday that sometimes we may never see how far our impact goes from our work. The best thing we can do is what we can do right now.
“God Willing my impact last longer than this,
God Willing turn this dream to a wish”
The chorus of the song is optimistically hopeful towards creating an impact that lasts longer than the current point. I am faithful in my art and my message creating a positive impact on people. I like to believe that the positivity I radiate has helped ease someone’s mind and made them more calm to a decision, more generous, or more forgiving to someone else. The purpose of art is meant to be thought and emotion stimulating. The chorus references this to a flame; and whilst the flame of candles may go out, the hope of this flame never being extinguished.
“Know what you are, what you’re bound to be
In control of your destiny
Receive that bless though action
Not just asking, no cappin’, for real though”
At this point in the video I’m carrying a wheelbarrow full of wood down a long path which is symbolic in a few ways. In order to make things the way we envision them, sometimes we have to be willing to take on the workload ourselves. This could be laborious but it may be what is necessary to fulfill our vision. In this part of the song I make reference to when the Holy Spirit arrives during Pentecost in Acts 2. ‘Slanguage’ being a combination of the words ‘slang’ and ‘language’ referring to when the crowd understood each other even though they all spoke different languages after having the flame of the Holy Spirit come and rest upon each of them.
“Know this that flame, can’t put it out
Ain’t speaking my tongue, what you talkin’ ’bout?
Speaking that slanguage, won’t change it”
After the montage of carrying the wheelbarrow full of wood, I come up to a stump near where the fire will be built to chop the wood. Once I give the wood a swift chop it falls into two during the line “as the smoke clears out, I’m standing over my adversary,” which was a really cool part to film. The night-time building of the fire happens during the final chorus with the fire being completed and burning strong and bright as the resolution to the video.
“Been a believer, this ain’t recent, and I ain’t naive
Since I know the way, I think it’s best I take the lead”
I really enjoyed making this video with my friends and coming up with the storyline behind it. I can even remember during the time of recording the song I was imagining parts of how I wanted the video to be. The symbolism behind the fire was a key element I wanted to have for visual references as well as my own personal love of campfires.
“Establish a legacy
As the smoke clears out, I’m standing over my adversary
But only…”
I hope you get some time to enjoy the journey; don’t be in such a rush. The journey is the part we should cherish the most because we never know the impact we may make to the people we meet along the way; and if we’re able to see God’s love in those people then I think we might just be on the right path. And if you haven’t yet, I hope you get to check out the music video for “Extinguished” on YouTube!
Lastly, remember to keep the flame of your love, passion, or inspiration for what you do burning bright. You never know who you just might be a beacon of hope for.
“As the candles turn to a wisp
I pray this light never go extinguished”
References:
- “Bible Browser.” Oremus Bible Browser, Accessed 01 Nov. 2023.
- Church of the Cross. “Reformation Sunday: By Church of the Cross, Erie, PA.” Facebook, 29 Oct. 23AD.
- Myers, Yeshuwa, director. Extinguished [Official Music Video] – Yeshuwa Myers. YouTube / Extinguished [Official Music Video], YouTube, 14 Oct. 2023.
- Myers, Yeshuwa. “Yeshuwa Myers – Extinguished.” Genius, 3 Mar. 2023 .