Flynn takes different roads as the band follows God’s leading
Posted by The Skyliner on March 31st, 2010Taylor Edwards
Staff Writer
Sometimes following God’s calling can be extremely difficult. He often tells us to do things that we do not enjoy and he even tells us to stop doing things that we love. This aspect of God has recently been manifested in the lives of five young men at Anderson University.
Justin and Johnny Burns, Jay Arrington and Taylor Cash constituted the hardcore band Flynn for five years, with the addition of Andrew Brower in 2008. They had a good following from places like Anderson, Greenville and Columbia. Their debut album Forever and Ever Amen was released on March 24, 2008, and several new songs were written in the months that followed. Flynn was the kind of band that had the potential to go far and to do much in the music world. But God had different plans for them.
Flynn began announcing their impending break-up a few months ago, and on March 20, they played their last show. It was a sad few months leading up to that final show, and many wondered why they were breaking up.
The members of Flynn made it clear that God spoke to them and told them that He was leading them in a different way. They had loved playing music as a band, but they admitted that their focus had been taken away from glorifying God. Breaking up was a drastic measure, but one that the band members knew they had to take to follow God’s leading in their lives.
There were many emotions not only from fans but also from the band at the last show on Saturday. Flynn invited friends Divide the Sea, Send the Seraph, and Aneirin to play with them. By the time Flynn took the stage, the level of energy in the room was enormous. Everyone knew this last performance was going to be the best ever, and the boys from Anderson did not disappoint. They played some of their old songs and every track off Forever and Ever Amen. But what was most impressive was the end of their set. They finished with their most popular song “I Am Leonidas.”
The fans were totally swept up in the sheer energy of the final breakdown, jumping up on stage, hugging the band members and crowding around Justin as he passionately screamed the last lines of the song. With everyone pushing toward the front of the stage, the final notes of “I Am Leonidas” died away and the band began playing “How Great is Our God.”
It was obvious that God worked through Flynn that night. They showed their fans that following God is about doing His will in everything, even when it is the hardest thing to do. No doubt many people are going to miss Flynn and their music, but God is going to use them in fantastic ways because of their obedience to Him during this huge transition in their lives.
Tags: Spring 2010, Vol. 110 - Issue 9