Winds Of Change Curtis Stephan, Jesse Manibusan	(Based on 12 votes)

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Artist Reflection

Note: In preparation for Pentecost, here is an encore reflection of a song worth bringing back: Curtis Stephan's and Jesse Manibusan's theme song for NCYC 2005, "Winds of Change."

When I heard that the National Federation of Catholic Youth Ministry was accepting theme song submissions for the 2005 National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC), I was excited about the opportunity that presented itself. I love challenges: opportunities to stretch my musical abilities, to go beyond perceived boundaries of culture and style, and to think about God in a new way.

With that in mind I looked at the themes for the sessions and just prayed about what the Spirit might want young people to know or experience. Winds of Change — What does that mean? What do we want to change? What needs to change?

I had images of God breathing life into Adam and into the disciples in the upper room when he sends them forth to be witnesses. They were dead, lifeless, afraid, lost.

Sounds like me sometimes: burned out, bored, dull, numb from chasing what the world says is important. I find myself apathetic, hopeless, and cold sometimes thinking, "Why try? Nothing's going to change." Sometimes I feel afraid to try to make a difference because I'm afraid of what my friends or family will think.

God's life, though is anything but dull, anything but boring. Just look at Saint Peter or the lives of any of the saints. WHOA! Adventure everywhere. [Just read the Acts of the Apostles.] Boldness, passion, healings, supernatural grace to suffer for God. God achieved mighty things through the most unlikely people. You think Paul thought life was boring or dull? That guy got the Holy Spirit smack put on him and got knocked off his horse so hard it blinded him. WHOA!!

That is the kind of life I want to live. That is the burning heart I want to have and share with others. I want that breath of life to blow off the stink of sin and sadness and make me that aroma of holiness and joy. My prayer is that thousands of young people will experience feel the winds of change blowing in Atlanta and join together saying: Winds of Change, CHANGE ME!

- Curtis Stephan