I’ve been listening to a lot of Red lately. It’s a strange
coincidence that I write this post on the day their newest album Of Beauty and Rage is released (no, that
was unintentional :). Sadly I have not ordered it yet, so I’ll have to save that
discussion for another day.
Well, Red are quite an incredible group. Possibly my
favorite of all time. They have a way of creating vivid images with their music…specifically,
describing the world of death and darkness we live in, our desperate need for
the Light, and our struggle to reach it. I’ve also noticed that when they write
an album, they aren’t writing the songs just to have individual meaning, but
for all the songs to tell a story together. In fact, if you listen to their
albums, that’s pretty much how they all are. Although all their songs are
amazing and eye-opening, and it is extremely hard for me to only write about
one, I chose Faceless as the song to discuss.
When I first heard this song, it painted such a vivid picture
in my head that I felt compelled to draw it. Because of how strong the
motivation was, I know God was inspiring me with the picture. The song is about
finding our identity in Christ; when we realize that we are "hollow,
hollow and faceless" and that our true identity can only be revealed when
Christ reveals Himself in us.
And the song begins. Intense distortion from guitars. The forceful
rhythm of the drumbeat. The desperation in the singers' voices. Everything
about this song builds on the foundation of the message; you know that what
they are trying to say is significant.
I’m not, I’m not myself
Feel like I’m someone else
Fallen and faceless
So hollow, hollow inside
A part of me is dead
Need you to live again
Can you replace this?
I’m hollow, hollow and
faceless.
These words are when we realize we are living in darkness
and don’t know our identity, we do not even know who we are. When we see how
much our lives need Christ, how empty we are without the Truth, we wake up to
the terrifying fact that we are faceless. Nothing we do can give our lives a
meaning or a purpose until we give ourselves to God, and allow Him to fulfill
His purpose in our lives. He has created an incredible plan, a special and
important identity for each and every single one of us. All we have to do is
accept that we are “hollow and faceless,” call out for Him to save us, and He
will give us our identity. Only then are we given a face to see, hear, speak,
and breathe the Truth.
