Happy Independence Day: Rise in Revolution

I recently got Skillet's new album, Rise. I love it, but that's to be expected, I love everything Skillet does. I especially love the title song, Rise, and with the 4th of July yesterday, it has become my new theme song for Independence Day. I also kinda love the video for it.



The lyrics to this song are amazing, and it honestly made me think about Independence Day in a whole new light. Our founding fathers were people, like you and me, who saw injustice and pain in the world they lived in and made a vow to "Unite, and Fight! To make a better life" and "Rise in Revolution" Were they scared? If they were human I'm sure they were terrified. They were facing off against a major world power and venturing into unknown territory, but they didn't let that fear hold them back. "Sometimes it's crazy To fight for what you believe But you can't give up If you want to keep what you love" They pressed on, they united, they fought, they prevailed, and what they created is now itself a major world power that millions celebrate.

It is also a major world power that many are questioning and angry at today, which is to be expected. Anytime something is hugely powerful in the world it is going to be questioned/criticized, that's the normal course of humanity. Without going into specific things that are currently happening, Independence Day should be a day that we celebrate the amazing blessing of living in this country, the amazing freedoms we have because of the bravery of men and women 237 years ago, but it should also be a reminder that we have these freedoms because men and women were willing to recognize injustice in their government, in the status quo, and take a stand against it, risking their lives, their property, their well-being, to stand for what is right and "keep what you love." It should be an inspiration for us to not become complacent with the way the world is. If you look out in the world, whether it be our country or elsewhere and "all I see is, shattered pieces" then you know that, "it's our time to change it all." Nothing in this world is perfect, which means everything can be improved on, and things don't improve on their own, they tend to degrade, fall apart, become worse. It takes an active willingness to make something better.

So, my challenge for you, for myself, is this: "Rise! Make a better life"

 

RISE

All I see is, shattered pieces
I can't keep it, hidden like a secret
I can't look away
From all this pain, in the world we've made

Every day you need, a bulletproof vest
To save yourself, from what you could never guess
Am I safe today?
When I step outside, in the wars we wage

Our future's here and now
Here comes the countdown

[Chorus]
Sound it off, this is our call
Rise in Revolution
It's our time to change it all
Rise in Revolution

Unite, and Fight!
To make a better life
Everybody, one for all!
Sound off, this is the call

Tonight, We Rise!
Rise!
Tonight! We Rise!
Rise!

Tonight! We Rise!

Like a hand grenade, thrown in a hurricane
Spinning in chaos, trying to escape the flame
Yesterday is gone
Faster than the blast of a car bomb

And when the scars heal, the pain passes
As hope burns, we rise from the ashes
Darkness fades away
And the light shines on a brave new day

Our future's here and now
Here comes the countdown

[Chorus]

Unite, and Fight!
To make a better life
Everybody, one for all!
Sound off, this is the call

Tonight! We Rise!
Rise!
Tonight! We Rise!
Rise!

Tonight! We Rise!

In a world gone mad (in a place so sad)
Sometimes it's crazy (crazy)
To fight for what you believe
But you can't give up (No)

If you want to keep what you love (Keep what you love)
Keep what you love (Keep what you love)
Keep what you love
Never give up! No!

Rise! Rise in revolution!
Rise! Rise in revolution!
Everybody one for all
Sound off, this is the call!

Rise! Like we're alive
Tonight, we rise!
Rise! Make a better life
Tonight, we rise! Rise!

Rise! Rise!
Rise in revolution
Rise! Rise!
Rise in revolution

Rise!