The first song was "Overcomer" by Mandisa. This has been a hit ever since it came out Aug 27, 2013. It's a total pump-up song as it encourages Christians that they can overcome any barrier or challenge before them, because God is with them. It's a great message, although it tends to focus more attention on the human effort during life's challenges and you only hear about God in the bridge.
The second song was "Monster" by Skillet. This is a darker song, with some great, chunky, electric guitar. This song expresses John Cooper's feelings of being a monster - most likely the result of sin. It's a song expressing a the agony of doing what he doesn't want to do and not doing what he wants to do. It can be a rather depressing song if you don't listen to it from a place of grace.
These are two great songs, but I fear that they represent a lot of Christians, and what Christianity has become. On the one hand, we have Chriatians who think it's all up to them. Sure, God will help them along, but it's really up to them and their efforts to succeed. On the other hand, we hear this song about feeling like a monster! The painful reality when we realize that our efforts simply aren't good enough. We can't cut it...but aren't we overcomers? Don't we just have to try harder? No! It's not about doing more or trying harder.
It's about grace. It's about the love God has for us and the actions He took by sending Jesus - sacrificing His only Son for monstrous lives like ours. Because of this sacrifice, and the victory that came with it, we no longer need to feel like monsters. At the same time, we are not overcomers. GOD is the Overcomer!!!
We would be wise never to forget this. No overcoming that happens in our lives is of our own doing. It is the Kingdom Transformation that the Spirit is working in each of us.
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