Walk in the Reign Josh Blakesley

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Artist Reflection

"Walk in the Reign" was the theme for a diocesan youth conference in Baton Rouge, LA. When they asked me to lead music for the weekend they were still trying to find a song to go with the theme. I racked my brain trying to think of a song that fit the scripture and ideas they had come up with for the conference. After a few days with no song ideas, I decided just to write one.

I loved the play on words that the diocesan youth board had come up with. The idea of walking in the rain brings about a certain emotion. It's kind of romantic or nostalgic or something. But the idea of walking in an outpouring of God's spirit is something altogether different, something powerful. As I prayed on the notion of walking in God's reign I tried to imagine the personal effect it would have if I walked in the confidence that I carried God's kingdom with me wherever I go. I wrote the first verse of the song as I realized that I wouldn't just walk, I'd run, I'd fly, I'd be in a whole other world, soaring with the confidence of angels.

I tried to keep the chorus very "singable" since it would be a conference theme song. I kept it as simple as possible so that the participants would be able to sing along. Even though it doesn't really say anything profound lyrically, it would still be easy enough to sing.

If I had to pick a favorite line of the song it would be the first line of the second verse. The whole idea of God's love quenching the dry desert of our lives when we need Him most just struck me when I was toying with rain versus reign.

The conference was a success and the song worked out great. We shifted the tempo throughout the weekend and used the song to gather the group and send them out. We used it in liturgy and to transition into more meditative parts of the conference. The teens really connected with it so it seemed like a definite selection for Immersed. My prayer is that God will continue to use it in the lives of the teens who first heard it as well as in the lives of those who come across it in the future.

- Joshua Blakesley