Every year, the Youth section of the Missionary Families of Christ creates and releases new songs for the World 
Youth Congress. An Extended Play, or EP, was released this year. The EP, entitled “Always Jesus,” was aligned with the MFC community’s theme for this year: “Unchanging God.” As the title states, the EP focuses on how Jesus Christ was, is, and will always be. The EP songs were written under the theme: “Unchanging God in every season.”
During the conceptualization of the EP, three seasons were emphasized. The first season, the season of suffering, encompasses our moments of doubt, struggle, loss, grief, feeling left out, spiritual dryness, and being burnt out. The second season, the season of waiting, comprises our stages of longing, seeking, reflection, adjustment, growth, purification, healing, and stillness. As for the season of grace, this represents our times of joy, victory, gratitude, blessing, connection, and abundance. The EP highlights God’s unchanging and omnipresent nature in the different seasons that we go through in our lives.
As we explore the new EP from MFC Youth, let’s uncover the meaning behind each track and see how they relate to our spiritual journey.
How do I seek God’s presence in the middle of suffering? or In what ways can I lean on my faith to find peace and strength amidst suffering?
The song tells a story of hope in the midst of brokenness. The main message of the song is that even if we are lost, broken, and stuck in a place where we might seem hopeless, the Lord is still here, ever present in our midst, even when we are suffering. “My Hope Will Remain (Even If)” is anchored in the promise of God found in Isaiah 54:10 “Though the mountains fall away and the hills be shaken, My love shall never fall away from you nor my covenant of peace be shaken, says the Lord, who has mercy on you.”
The lyrics of the song puts emphasis on God being present “even in” the trials and the hurts we experience. The song starts off on a somber yet hopeful note, then proceeds to a declaration of persevering faith because we know that the love of God will sustain us in trying times, allowing ourselves to have hope despite all the challenges we face.
What has God revealed to you in your times of reflection and spiritual growth?
“In the Midst” is a song connected to our waiting season. It reflects on our journey of faith and hopeful longing for God. In our waiting season, we continuously search for and seek the graces that God has in store for us. Despite moments of uncertainty, fear, and doubt, we continue to praise and glorify Him. Even if we feel restless in this season, we should take time to reflect and open our hearts and minds to the Holy Spirit, for He will clothe us with His mighty love that ultimately sets us free. When looking into the flow of the song and how it was arranged, it starts off from a place of distress. As it progresses, it starts to become more hopeful and makes us more aware of what we need from God as well as what He is unveiling to us. Not only does it present how God works and acts, but it also reminds us of goodness and the feeling of being loved by Him. It’s comforting and it feels like a massive relief and surrender.
We believe that the Lord showed us, through this song, through writing it, that in the midst of our stillness, in whatever journey and season we are going through, He is with us. The Lord is the one who put us in this situation, He is also the one who told us to be still, trust His process, and have faith in His plans. Not only did the Lord teach us to be patient but He also taught us how to strengthen our faith. In the midst of the seas and unease, in His promise, we’ll trust, believe, and be still, for He’ll uphold us.
How do you adore God and respond to Him during your seasons of grace?
“The Light of the World” is a praise song about adoring God during our seasons of grace. The season of grace comprises the high points of our lives and the times when we feel closest to God. It also contains the fulfillment of our hopes and prayers. In our seasons of grace, we encounter God’s generosity and abundance in giving more than we asked for and deserve. The miracles of His grace instill within us the true meaning of being blessed, allowing us to witness His humble heart. Experiencing these brings us joy, contentment, inspiration, and hope. It stimulates an unending urge within us to serve God, to praise Him, and to be an instrument of His grace to others. If we truly open our minds and hearts to Him, we will realize that every moment holds countless blessings waiting to be recognized. However, this overflow of blessings is not meant to remain with us because God calls us daily to bring and share His grace to the world.
The song’s title was inspired by Psalm 9 or “Thanksgiving for Victory and Justice.” The “Light” referred to in the title is God. He is our source of light. His light is a shining beacon of hope and life that illuminates through His loving heart. The song’s lyrics encompass everything we are bound to experience in our seasons of grace. The tropical and vibrant sound of the music plays a role in matching the light and happy feeling we get whenever God reigns in these seasons. The song is a call to action for us servants to spread God’s light to the world. It also evokes us to embrace the joys of being a servant filled with the Holy Spirit. As we pursue our journey in serving the Lord, may this song be our testament to always put God first, especially in our victories and accomplishments.
How was God present in the different seasons of your life?
“Ever-Present God” is a praise song highlighting God’s unchanging nature in our ever-changing lives. It invites us to recall and recognize how God has been present in every moment of our lives, whether in the past, present, or future. The song’s timeless message encourages us to praise God and give thanks to Him, regardless of the season we are in. It also reminds us of our calling to make God known to all.
We acknowledge and reiterate how He was, is, and will always be God whenever we sing this song. When we look back at our past or even centuries before, we know that He was the beginning of everything, and He took care of us. Looking at the present, we know He guides us and provides our needs. When we look to the future, we know He has great plans for us.
The EP concludes with its title track, “Always Jesus,” which is inspired by the MFC community theme from Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” This praise song highlights the unchanging nature of God. Its purpose is to help listeners recognize God’s goodness in every season and situation of life.
The lyrics are intentionally simple, making the message accessible to youth at various levels of spiritual maturity. “Always Jesus” serves as a declaration of God’s constant presence in our lives, conveying that, regardless of circumstances, the Lord is always with us, as expressed in the bridge.
This closing track of the EP, the theme song responds to the presence of Jesus in the different seasons of our lives. It is a declaration that Jesus will always be with us, in all ways, forever.
As we navigate our lives, we encounter different seasons. There may be times we encounter great sorrow. Other times, we feel as if we are waiting on something to happen before us. There are also times where we are showered with blessings and God’s grace. Yes, if there is one thing that is constant in life, it is change. But more often than not, we forget that there is another that is constant through this ever-changing life that we experience: God.
Whatever we may face, no matter how different it may become, our confidence lies in the Unchanging God, who through every season in our lives will remain with us. The EP hopes to bring to light this very truth. And in your listening, may the songs point toward God and remind us of how he has been good in every moment of our lives.
