David Webster, Author at 1Africa

Taylor Swift’s 1989 World Tour

David Webster

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December 30, 2015

Taylor Swift: the 25 year old that conquered country music at 18 and has conquered the world with her newest pop album. Touring with what could be the most successful career-defining crossover ever, Taylor has racked up some extremely impressive stats.

She did 85 shows in 8 months – hitting every continent except Africa (one day Tay-Tay). The biggest tour of the year, she grossed more than 250 million dollars, playing to over 2.2 million people. There were almost 100 celebrity guest appearances from rock legends Steven Tyler and Mick Jagger through to Julia Roberts, Ellen de Generes through to the USA soccer team – ensuring that no matter how much the fans had researched the show, they never knew exactly what they were going to get.

Interestingly, the full-length filmed concert is going to be aired on the newly introduced Apple Music platform. If you weren’t aware, Taylor wrote a blog addressing their 3 months free trial period in which they were not going to pay any of the artists whose music may be streamed. It garnered huge publicity and, despite its respectful tone, it drove the message home. I particularly liked the line, “We don’t ask you for free iPhones. Please don’t ask us to provide you with our music for no compensation.” Apple has apparently worked with Taylor since then to improve the strategic model for this new streaming endeavour and, in turn, also offered to capture her live tour so that all the fans who were not able to see it could have a look.

For someone who has some experience in producing live shows, I can tell you that there was no expense spared. Each song has a different edge to it. The lighting, costumes and set is definitely top class, if not revolutionary. One absolutely over the top feature is a catwalk that stretches to a B-stage, which actually raises and rotates out across the crowd. The show is interactive, with every attendee having their own bracelet that lights up and can be synchronised to the music, making for some awesome wide angled shots.

Despite all the flare, however, Taylor ensures that music is the focus. Since almost every song has a different set and most of them have been remixed (masterfully, I may add), there is a very strong emphasis on the message in the music. One might think it could be a little stagnant as a result, but I don’t think so. Taylor is no newbie to this industry and no matter what lighting, graphics or pyro might be incorporated, the music is what got her there and the music is what will keep her there for as long as she wants.

I have never heard Taylor Swift sing better. As a vocal coach, I have sometimes struggled with Taylor’s songs when students want to sing them because as simple as the melodies are to carry the lyric, they require consistent energy over the break of your voice. But she nails each song with a great deal of passion.

If you are a Taylor Swift fan, I suggest you download Apple Music and watch the free show. It is not only a great window into Taylor’s world. It is also a technological moment in history – opening up streaming to a whole new market. Well done Apple Music. Very well done Taylor Swift. Thank you both for what you have done for the music industry. Happy listening!

Follow/Unfollow

David Webster

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December 25, 2015

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I don’t know if you have heard of a trend on Instagram called Follow Unfollow? Basically, an individual or organisation will follow you so that you go onto their profile and (hopefully) follow them back. After two days or so that individual will then go back and ‘unfollow’ you, having gained a follower by faking interest in your profile. To be honest, I felt a bit betrayed the first time I realised what had happened.

But in many ways, I should not be surprised. Instagram may be one example, but I have found that all of us 20-somethings use fake commitment to get what we want. Just to clarify, it has never been a historic norm for people to accept invitations to events and then not show up. Posting something on your feed that doesn’t mean much to you, but is guaranteed to garner ‘likes’ is another way you can con yourself into thinking that you are OK.

There are two elemental flaws with this way of thinking:

Just because it comes from you doesn’t mean it is you

I have seen many people post things that are the exact opposite of who they are. Whether it is a rant or some philosophical observation, it is very easy to fake something to please other people. So if someone likes a post of yours, does it mean he or she like you? Not really. In the end, anything we post, say or even write is going to be a superficial representation of who we are. Books wouldn’t be able to capture the complexity that makes you ‘you’ and me ‘me’. But our generation is settling for a number of ‘hearts’ or ‘thumbs up’ given by people who might happen to see something they published to the world on a feed. You don’t have to live like this for long to realise it is not fulfilling. Who you are is so much more than what you are putting on social media. Don’t belittle yourself – your creativity, beliefs, character and personality – to a few posts a day.

Numbers don’t mean you’re thriving

At the most, the number of likes or thumbs up you have are a representation of your success to communicate something to the world. All you have to do is look at Justin Bieber’s Insta to realise that more people can like a blurry photo of the side of someone’s head than anything heartfelt and profound you can conjure up. Social Media’s version of approval is definitely an immediate morale booster, but it won’t last longer than a few seconds. To desperately try to get people to follow you is a sorry way to live life. Marketers and the like have found it is a clever way to piggyback on our manic obsession with numbers. I am scared that one day our virtual presence will one day be more important than our actual presence. The moment a phone becomes more important than the person sitting across the table, there needs to be some serious re-evaluation of your priorities.

The only reason I can write this is because I have experienced all of this myself. If you can identify with anything I have said, maybe try to some meaningful face-to-face conversation. You see unlike Facebook, you are actually going to have to be a friend to someone before you become friends. Unlike Instagram, you are going to have to engage with someone before you like them. You’re going to have to know what someone believes before you follow them. Conversations are actually things that require a response.

I hope you follow what I’m trying to say… (Sorry couldn’t resist). By all means go crazy on social media, but please make sure that if your phone was taken away your life would not fall apart.

Introducing Alessia Cara

David Webster

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December 23, 2015

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Down-to-earth character, fresh beats, catchy songwriting, an effortless vocal and distinctive city vibes are just some of the elements that are setting up this 19 year old Canadian up for success . Alessia Cara is a breath of fresh air in the ‘experimental pop’ rut presently being punted in the industry. Her soulful tone could be allude to an angelic version of Amy Winehouse – combined with some interesting uses of EDM fills and Ryan Lewis-like mixing, you are in for a new kind of pop when you listen to her EP.

Adele has spent another week at the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 list, proving that substance will always outweigh artistic expression (no matter how emotional or vulnerable you may be). I believe this is where Alessia will be able to hold her own in future as well. The unapologetic honesty portrayed in her hit single Here (currently number 1 on Billboard’s Rhythmic Airplay chart) exposes more than just some much-needed opposition to the thousands of ‘party on the dance floor’ tracks being spewed out on radio at the moment. It also cuts to the core of what the modern teenager experiences. Four Pink Walls – her first EP – is an honest representation of the type of reality a teenager faces – whether it’s falling in love, dreaming big, staying grounded or truly hating a party.

Whether being interviewed from the phenomenon that is Taylor Swift, or traipsing around an indie studio where Amy Winehouse recorded, Alessia’s simplicity is undeniable. She is respectful of the music industry to the point of humility. It is clear that she is grateful for her success and is well grounded in her outlook on life. Her refusal to be ‘moulded’ by labels has also allowed her music to do most of the talking. I definitely believe Alessia Cara could go far. It is rare to find an artist that is so young, with such an honourable persona. If I had a daughter I would want her to listen to this music.

So welcome Alessia Cara! Look forward to what’s next!

Making Sense of the Bible

David Webster

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December 22, 2015

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I have been a regular Bible reading Christian for around 12 years now. Growing up in church, I also know pretty much every Bible story ever printed for felt boards (thank you Jesus those days are over). Yet even with most of my life consisting of themes that have come from the Bible, I don’t think I am near to understanding how to read the Bible.

You might have never read the Bible. You may be trying start. You may have given up. I think the first thing to establish to understand why it is an essential part of growing spiritually.

The Bible is referred to as the Word of God. It is a book written by many authors that places God in the context of culture, history and society. It is a complex, endlessly multifaceted book that reveals the character of God and his heart for all humanity. It is a love letter to the rejected. A manifesto for the searching. An epic story for the bored. A lifeline for the hopeless and a stumbling block for the proud.

With broad strokes the Bible highlights God’s sovereignty, as well as his desire to connect with us. To those who are just picking up this book for the first time, I would encourage you to dive in whole-heartedly. Choose to decide that everything written is probable. Entertain the concept of it being the whole truth. In this way you will be able to read without resignation. To begin filtering things before truly understanding the broader context of the text would result in some well-justified confusion. But if you consciously embrace it and then work backwards through the troubling or confusing aspects, I believe you will have a greater chance of understanding what the Bible is all about.

Where to start.

Some would say Genesis. It definitely sets up the timeline. Once again, if you begin questioning the authenticity of the authorship too early you will not be able to embrace the message that the words contain. Read it like a story. See what you can get out of it. I believe you will be able to find a whole lot of revelation regardless.
Some say Matthew. As the first book of the Gospel, Matthew is a solid version of the lifetime of Jesus. It gives a broad perspective and highlights important moments. If you want a basic context of what happened, then Matthew is a great place to start.
I would say Mark. This book is all about what Jesus didand less about what he said. It helped me connect with the humanity of Jesus. I was able to picture the man that came to save the world and identify with ‘how he lived’ instead of getting caught up in the confusion of ‘what he said’ sometimes.
Some would say Psalms. If you want to know the nature of God and how he applies to you personally, then Psalms is a very intimate account of who God is. Combined with the New Testament, this is an extremely powerful perspective.

Books that may be a bit rough to start with:

Jeremiah. Depressing and filled with conflict, this book is very intense. If you understand the historic context and look for the redemptive parallels in the gospels, it will be powerful but you need to have some considerable fortitude to get through this one.
Revelations. Written as a vision from God, this book is very abstract and could be seen as dangerous to someone who has not established what they believe about God already.

However, I believe any part of the Bible can speak to you. It is a living, breathing version of God when applied to your day every day. If you are looking for answers to the problems you are facing; if you want to get to know the God that is alive and cares about you; if you want to understand your purpose and have perspective on what God has been up to – the Bible is the best place to start. It will never be a book you can read through and then put down. It is meant to be mulled over and studied for life – and believe me, there is more revelation in there than you could ever use.

Just dry reading might be advantageous, but the words truly come alive when you have a personal relationship with Jesus. It is the fuel for your faith, but there needs to be a ‘spark’ – an initial moment where you meet your creator and put your trust in him. If you want to truly witness the power of the Word of God, click on the link below.

A Head Full of Dreams: Track by Track

David Webster

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December 18, 2015

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Coldplay is one of those acts that you can trust will always be themselves. Between the distinctive voice of Chris Martin, the undeniably brilliant piano lines, the use of chorus and ‘woahs’ the solid bass and guitar lines – Coldplay has forged a niche so solid that their music is immediately identifiable and catchy – in the least irritating of ways.

Their new album – A Head Full of Dreams is a welcome development in their catalogue of brilliance. Staying true to their style, they have managed to venture into new territory with a seamless ease. Track by track, this is what you can expect.

A Head Full of Dreams

Picture a parade in down a town’s main road with a whole lot of kids and colours. This track achieves a sense of celebration and consistent joy that will have you dancing even after the song is finished. The bass line is super tight and the iconic reverb infused guitar sequence, layered with a whole lot of gang vocals makes for a vibrant welcome to the new chapter of Coldplay’s story.

Birds

Harking back more to the indie punk vibes that could be associated with songs like Trouble, this a song you would listen to while you were getting ready for the day. Or on a slow walk through a busy city. There is a slight hint of the dulcimer that made Life in Technicolor such a successful record, but it maintains that London grunge with a light touch.

Hymn for the Weekend

I have to admit I really love this track. Dubbed a sort of duet with the one and only Queen B (Beyonce), this is a very nice venture into new territory for Coldplay. The angelic counterpoint of the intro with the birdsong in the background sets the tone for an awesome audio representation of the album artwork: colourful, structured, intricate and random. The use of horns definitely hearkens to Beyonce’s stylistic brilliance. The complex structure of the sections also adds a freedom. The cool clap beat with steel pipe polyphony added to Chris Martin’s iconic piano playing and walking bass makes this a new type of brilliant.

Everglow

This heartfelt musical memoir comes just in time to tie down the die-hard fans. It is hard to separate Chris from his relationship troubles when listening to this vulnerable ode to a person he has lost. Simple, raw and rustic – this is where Coldplay’s song writing shines through. No need for huge production, just precise sincerity.

Adventure of a Lifetime

If you haven’t watched the video for this – their first single – do yourself a favour and do it! Similar to A Head Full of Dreams, there is a definite mid-tempo jam that is right in the pocket. The use of EDM effects – such as the closing of an envelope before the refrain and the manipulation of vocals is a fun twist (the background sample is actually the phrase ‘alive again’ played backwards).

Fun (feat. Tove Lo)

A nostalgic take on the subject, this song would be awesome as a backtrack to a night carnival scene or a romantic montage. Tove Lo fills the role well… She never features by herself, which begs the question why Beyonce isn’t listed on Hymn for the Weekend Her presence on the track, however, elevates what would be a rather average track.

Kaleidoscope

This is definitely more of an artwork collage than a song. It belongs as part of an interactive art installation. Definitely evokes some strange feelings with a neo-gospel type of approach.

Army of One

Repetitive sequencing makes this song. The melody and structure feels like a development of different possible options that fit with the repetitive chord structures. Close your eyes on a hot summer evening and face the wind – your experience will be complete. Until 3:25 when something that sounds like whole new songs comes on. With a more Kanye type of producing, this added little track is a stark contrast that throws you off and adds that variety the album seems to reach for.

Amazing Day

With grateful undertones and soaring strings. This one can make every home feel cosy. Definitely the most Christmas friendly song this year.

Colour Spectrum

Another montage like Kaleidoscope with Beyonce vocals coming in and out, you could add this to the art installation in the room next to it.

Up&Up

With very clever lyrics and a masterful balance of instrumentation, once the tight kick comes in you know you’re on a journey. A hopeful finale, this track is a cool representation of Coldplay’s longevity. There is definitely more to come and I cannot wait.

This album definitely saves the band from the doldrum fest that was Ghost Stories. Have a listen! Hope you enjoy it!

The Deposition Petition: To Sign or Not to Sign

David Webster

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December 16, 2015

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The Deposition Petition: To Sign or Not to Sign

This is an exciting time to live in Africa. No matter what your opinion is of our current state, this week is proof that we are constantly on the verge of change.

South Africa particularly is such a vibrant melting pot of culture, opinion, ethics and politics. The complexity of the system of governance and authority is undeniable, no matter how laughable it has become in the past few years. This is the place where East meets West – where militants collide with pacifists and prejudices blur into agendas with various unpredictable outcomes. From an external point of view, you might think it is chaos, or a joke, but as a citizen of this great nation all I sense is that we are making history.

No nation has had a past as diverse and complex as ours. We are on the frontier of the developing world and, in many ways, are the pioneers of what the world will be in a few years. Beyond politics, culture, war, crime or economy, we are in the process of discovering what unity truly looks like in our post-modern society.

So obviously there will be some crazy growing pains – many of which can be categorised under Zuma’s time in office. I doubt he can shoulder all the blame for what has happened during his term of office, but it is very clear that things have not improved with him in power. As much as people can rant about how his presence has been destructive, it is hard to determine whether the course of events started before Jacob took over.

Our nation could very much be the largest social experiment ever to exist… And sometimes experiments do go wrong. The combination of factors can result in catastrophic explosions, but there is normally more than one catalyst or element that is required to make things go ‘boom’.

The deposition of our president may look like a step in the right direction – but it is only that. One step. Many peoples’ dissatisfaction will not be sated by Zuma leaving. I wish the economy would immediately skyrocket, that the lady waiting years for her house would get the keys straight away and that corruption would lose all power in our governance system – but we have a long way to go.

The recent call for Zuma to step down has manifested in two online petitions: One on Change.org and the other petitions24.com. I won’t be signing either. Here’s why:

Change.org

As I am writing, this petition has garnered over 134 thousand signatures so far. But besides a small, very generalised few words, there is no substance clearly defining what these people want. When Zuma steps down do we want the Vice President – Cyril Ramaphosa – to step in? Should there be an election? Is it just about removing our President and leaving authority to the dogs. Do we want a coup? Should we become a communist state? Should we invade Zimbabwe? Forgive me for being a little facetious, but the possibilities are endless because not much has been clearly defined.

Petitions24.com

This petition has a more definitive list of grievances. But the absence of punctuation, proper grammar and spelling makes it immediately unviable. I truly question the sincerity of 24 thousand people that have signed this version, since any informed individual who took the time to read what they were signing would be struck by how unofficial the draft of this petition looks like.

In both cases, I believe that more needs to be done for progressive change. Do the people have a say in how this country is run? Definitely. Is an online petition the best platform for people to voice their concern? Debatable.

A considerate amount of our country still has no access to internet. As long as they are kept out of the picture, it is going to be very hard to turn the tide of consequences our country is facing.

It is honestly up to you when it comes to signing these petitions. I understand there are many extremely personal reasons why any attempt for political change would be worth trying. I just feel it is important to say that more than a few seconds online is required for us to truly move our nation forward.

So do we do nothing? No. I know this might seem weak or passive, but the Bible tells us to pray for our leadership. I am committing to praying for my nation and for Mr Zuma. And I am actively going to encourage people who are bringing progress -no matter to what degree of influence – to our nation. If you agree with me it might mean more than typing your name into a box. It might mean investing into the people of our nation a bit more. I know we will get through whatever comes and I pray we all see the role that we can play in changing our nation. A wise person once said – change always starts with the one. Just because it looks like hard work doesn’t mean it isn’t worth doing. Sign the petition or don’t sign, but let’s do our part to give this place a bright future!

The Advantage of Loneliness

David Webster

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December 15, 2015

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Growing up, I was an interesting child.

Before interesting was cool and being unique was something you would advertise, I was that random kid who sits at home and prefers not to be around peers who would judge me or not understand me. Now before you think this is a pity party, I need to say that I was not in any a victim of intentional cruelty. Others just didn’t get who I was, which resulted in random forms of alienation.

If you were wondering, I turned out OK. Aside from a few awkward moments once in a while, I am thriving socially. But it took me a while to celebrate my differences instead of allowing others’ uniformity to get me down. We can look at solitude as a curse, but I believe it can be such a clarifying element to your life.

If I hadn’t had time alone, I would not be as imaginative as I am today. Creativity is a muscle. You can only achieve certain levels of success if you work towards it. As a child, I was able to entertain myself for hours making up stories, writing songs and designing things. If it weren’t for that time doing those things, I would not have been able to be in the roles I am in today. If you ever find yourself isolated, use the time to be creative. Just because today sucks doesn’t mean that your tomorrow has to. You can work towards a better future and invest the time now.

If I hadn’t had time alone, I would not have known who I really was. It’s important to realise that hard times expose who you are more than good times will. A clear understanding of who you are is important emotionally. When validation is not coming from those around you, you need to dig deeper. You need to be comfortable with yourself despite what others think. This is definitely not easy. And I would say impossible without having a relationship with God.

Being alone – being surrounded by silence – also honed my effectiveness in life. I believe silence is one of the most foreboding elements of life – like when the Japanese radio channels went silent right before Pearl Harbour. The thing is that when nothing is happening in your life, it is the best time to be precise. Silence can give you the upper hand in life – in relationships, in your character but especially in your effectiveness. If everything around you feels static, whatever you do is immediately proactive. Whatever you say is immediately calculated. You can cut a whole lot of the meaningless parts of life out and really focus on achieving things.

Now don’t get me wrong – I definitely am not wishing loneliness on anyone, but I can tell you that you will definitely feel lonely sometime in the future. All I want to say is that when you encounter loneliness – regardless of your character or temperament – you can use it to your advantage.

External loneliness is inevitable, but internal loneliness is a different story. When we have no one around, it actually reveals if we are alone internally or have the substance to weather that storm of silence. There is no better company than that of Jesus in your life. Adam was created by himself, but he was never truly alone. God did make Eve, remarking that ‘it wasn’t good for man to be alone’, but Adam himself had not realised it. God addressed external loneliness from a place of concern. We weren’t ever meant to live without God. His concern for you is constant and infinite at the same time. If you are wanting to address the inner loneliness you have, click on the link below.

Grow Up

David Webster

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December 11, 2015

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Life is an interesting series of events tied down by time and yourself. Without time, you would exist but have no context. Without yourself, there would be no reference for understanding. Yes, I may like to dabble in the philosophical. But if you truly think about it, both elements facilitate what you would refer to as your life.

The thing with time is that it causes one of two things to happen. Any physical thing placed in time will either increase or deteriorate and I believe it applies heavily to our lives as well. There is a point at which maintaining the same lifestyle is no longer possible. You either need to move on up, or give in. Humans are, in many ways, like sharks swimming in slow motion. If we stay still we will die, but it takes us longer to realise whether or not we have actually stopped moving forwards or backwards.

So we all have a choice:

Grow Up

OR

Grow Old

I have met many individuals who have grown old without ever growing up. This is a really sad reality. It is so easy to get hung up by things that, in all honesty, should never affect you emotionally. Whether it’s someone parking where you normally park, not being invited to something you feel you should have been or being upset about things you cannot always control – we can all grow old and let that hold us back from moving forwards with things that matter. In fact, I have met people younger than me who are WAY older that I am.

Growing up is a more favourable option. I’m sure you have met people who just seem to be winning in life. Those people who get the promotion, have the new car given to them, those seem to be happy about everything – aren’t they just so annoying?! The thing is, I can tell you from experience that they have learnt to grow up. They have learnt to ignore certain things that could affect them. They have chosen not to let your annoyance affect how they live their lives.

I don’t deny that there are seasons. If you know anything about growth, you need to grow your roots before you grow your leaves.

You may be in a time when things are dark and smelly and hard going. That’s you growing your root system.

You may be in the season where you are just sprouting – stretching your branches wide.

You may be in the season where both your ‘roots’ and your ‘branches’ are growing and you are feeling the tension.

All three seasons are valid. But all of them are progressive and require a certain level of determination. So whatever you’re going through at the moment, I want to encourage you to think about which category you are in:

Are you caught up in the swaddled details of life and growing old
Are you growing in the ‘dark’, in the ‘light’, or in both areas.

If you need help to get out of any sort of ‘funk’, speak to people with bigger perspectives than you – people who have done the hard times and are consistently growing. Hope this helps!

Spectre: Bond is Back

David Webster

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December 9, 2015

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No film brand is as prolific, as defined and as stylistic as James Bond. The new instalment of the franchise – Spectre – continues to entrench this legacy to varying degrees of success. Without giving too much away, here are a few points on what to expect when you go to watch this must-see film.

1. Big budget

This film has some of the most eclectic combinations of locations, fight sequences and explosions. Mexico City, snowy Austria, Tangiers, Rome, the desert of Oujda and (of course) London make for some of the most beautiful location shots ever to exist on film. There are a whole lot of fight sequences – from train brawls to Playstation-like shooting sequences. The explosions also don’t disappoint. With a whole building precinct going down in Mexico and the old MI building in London imploding as well. All in all, I can guarantee you will be getting your money’s worth.

2. Inspired directing

Sam Mendes has done more than embrace the franchise. After a stylistic floundering in Quantum of Solace, he has been able to help the 007 series swing back with the coup d’état of Skyfall. But after such success, it is quite a challenge to help the audience move forwards towards a new horizon. Examples of the brilliance of the technical filming is the very long and complicated take of Bond in Mexico city. Starting in the busy streets of a parade, entering a hotel, going up an elevator, entering a hotel room, out onto a windowsill, traversing along two rooftops and ending when James pulls his gun. Now that is an effective introduction to the world of Bond – if ever there was. The audience is immediately immersed in the actuality of his world. The film is not a sentimental sojourn back into the life of a somewhat simple character. There is an exhilarating sense of reality that Mendes has achieved with a franchise that could not rely on the girls, gadgets and slogans anymore.

3. New Character for the Characters

There is a new guard of actors – harking back to the original setup. With the new ‘M’ played by Ralph Feinnes and Moneypenny played by Naomie Harris, there is a fresh take on the old regime. Ben Wishaw’s ‘Q’ also gets more airtime, which is refreshing and executed extremely well! Léa Seydoux is probably one of the most thrilling Bond Girls ever. Her raw beauty and unpredictable air in the film was done with barely enough finesse, but it works well for her character. This being the last Daniel Craig part of the series, there is a whole lot of story to see him off in graceful style. There is once again a metal-weaponed brute, which harkens back to Jaws and earlier characters. Christoph Waltz is convincing but I expected more from him and Andrew Scott – known for his dynamic portrayal of Moriarti in Sherlock – has a hard time portraying a middle-of-the-road turncoat.

4. Deeper Story

If Skyfall was a peek into the history of James Bond’s life, Spectre is a definitive shove into his past. The story goes as far as to tie up events from the past four films (all by Daniel Craig) and expose an underlying connection. For the first time ever, we see James Bond’s apartment. Two years of his childhood result in the villain’s targeted aggression. In every way, Bond gets a whole lot more personal – even slightly emotional when it comes to the new Bond girl in his life.

Fun things to look out for is the crucial role South Africa plays in the turn of events (slightly laughable, but seeing Cape Town feature in a Bond film is something I hope happens again). Sam Smith’s meteorically high opening song is extremely effective – the sequence that accompanies it is also a fresh take. All in all this is a good film. A crucial stepping stone for the series and definitely one worth watching!

The Return

David Webster

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December 9, 2015

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Jack sat in front of the tall glass windows, looking down at the ticket in his hands. The words and numbers didn’t mean much to him, but he knew they were indicators of what was going to happen. He sighed as he awkwardly untangled himself from his hand luggage and leant back – watching the a380 slowly dock in front of him. There were hundreds of people milling around. The endless arpeggiations before the almost robotic announcements would have put anyone on edge, but to Jack his world was pensively quiet. Deaf to all that was happening around him, he could only think of one thing: Home.

Part of him wanted to get up and run away. Far away. No matter the consequences. The anticipation he had started out with seemed way more attractive than the return to some form of ‘normality’. Had the journey been all that he had hoped for? No. Had it been worth the money? Debatable. Had he learnt a whole lot about life? Definitely.

At the same time, Jack knew things would never be the same for him. The problem was that he had grown. His perspective, his understanding, his experience of life was too big for the gap he had left behind. The fear of not being able to fit back into a life that had changed less than he had made him dread the return.

At the same time, he knew he needed to belong. His town, his house and his friends were consequential, but Jack’s family was the only thing that he really missed. He did not know what his parents would say about the things he had done on his trip. If he was honest, he wasn’t sure if he would be welcomed back. But he had to return.

The journey would be rough. The rain had started about an hour ago and was set to get worse through the night. Jack didn’t mind flying that much, but the idea of being cramped up next to two strangers for the next few hours (while the plane reeled and shuddered through the clouds) was enough of a deterrent when combined with all his doubt about home.

But home was inevitable. No matter how upsetting or daunting. No matter how hard the journey would be. He needed to return. He had left to find himself. And he had learnt a whole lot about who he was. But none of that mattered if he had no context. He was like a king without its chessboard. He wasn’t relevant and he had no meaning without having a place to put down his roots – a context to apply himself to.

The world was large. Travelling was enriching. But everywhere he went, Jack saw people building a life for themselves. They were enriching and establishing their own societies – from the farmers in Kenya to the NY business moguls – everyone had traction. As much as he was moving from place to place, he knew he was not moving forward.

He vaguely heard the call to start boarding. Looking down at his ticket again, Jack took a few deep breaths. He felt the weight of purpose. He knew things were going to be different. More permanent. More consistent. Harder work. But hopefully more meaningful and directional as well. After the suits and the families had passed, Jack jumped up quickly and grabbed his bag. Walking straight to the desk, he handed in his ticket and passport in before he could change his mind. The hostess smiled and handed back the ticket stub. It had happened. One quick interaction. There was no turning back now. Whatever happened next – whether good or bad – was now waiting for him. A hint of anticipation began to infiltrate his dread. With the adrenaline pumping and his heart full, he walked down the tunnel. Jack was going home.

The Bible is very clear that this world is not our home. Whether you read about the prodigal son, or Israel’s great Exodus, it is also clear that God wants his people to find home. But home is not a place. It is not an environment. It is a person. Everyone is on a journey – either away from, or towards this person. The sense of returning can be daunting, though. You can completely dread it. If you feel like you’re moving around, but not moving forwards. If you have ‘run away’ from God and feel too guilty to return. If you don’t want to be put in a box and feel constricted by religion – please know that I understand. But home is Jesus. And he is forgiving. He believes in freedom, not manipulation and he is the only place I ever want to be in this life or after. It is in relationship that you will find home. If you want to get to know him, click on the link below.

David Webster

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