Couldn't wipe the smile off my face

God, I will follow you because you died for me
Gave to me your life to set me free
Anyone who asks shall receive
Jesus in your heart
It's time for you to start
Giving God all the glory
‘More than a man’ Stryper 1986

Throughout that day I couldn’t help smiling whenever I thought about it. Whenever I’d remember where I was going that night I would chuckle to myself. That day was last Thursday – and the reason, that had a lot to do with a band called ‘Stryper’.

Back in ’89, when I was in Year 7 I went to my very first concert, and Stryper was the band. It was at the State Sports Centre and I remember it was so loud that my ears rang for two and a half days. It was great!

Now Stryper is what you would call a ‘glam-metal’ band. The music was loud and heavy but the image involved hair that was as big as it was long, tight leather clothing and even make-up (if you’re still unsure, think ‘Kiss’). Stryper’s trademarks were being completely decked out in yellow and black (their clothes, the instruments and the stage); and their Christian lyrics, backed up by throwing Bibles out at the crowd during the show.

Last Thursday morning I bought a ticket online to go and see the band that night in the city. The same bunch of guys who went back in our teens were getting together again to see Stryper 22 years later. Throughout the day I’d think about seeing everyone again and seeing the band and I would laugh to myself. This was going to be a lot of fun. And I wasn’t disappointed. During the concert I couldn’t help feeling a lot of joy.

It was so good to hang out with old mates. What a blessing it is to have shared experiences with great people that you still enjoy being around. The concert had given us a great excuse to get together – some of us hadn’t seen each other for more than 15 years! It was surprising that things hadn’t changed more – mostly just a few more silver hairs and photos to show of our kids. I realised I am now old enough to become nostalgic about being a teenager. It’s great to remember that there are things worth remembering.

The band played an excellent show! I wasn’t expecting a lot, they are all pushing fifty and I hadn’t even listened to their music for literally decades. But the band blew us away. You could see that the guys in the band were enjoying themselves. They were doing something that they love and were purposed for. They were proud that they had created something of a legacy with their music, and they were still around and ready to enjoy it.

I really felt blessed when I remembered the way that the band, its music and lyrics, influenced me as a young teen. Even though I hadn’t heard the songs for such a long time, the words of the choruses would came back to me as they sang and take me back to when playing those songs (on a cassette tape *chuckles*) would fire up my faith. The simple, catchy lyrics taught me simple things about salvation and living as a Christian. I thank God for Stryper and the way their songs gave me strength through that time.

And now I have another great memory to thank God for. Stryper songs have been playing in my head since the concert and I don’t mind at all. It seems that the ringing in my head has now stopped and I’m thankful for that too.

If you get all nostalgic for a moment, what can you look back on and be thankful for?