Rushing Waters by Dustin Smith

We are made for something greater than ourselves.  This is why teenagers often feel the urge to lock themselves up in the garage max out the amps and pretend they are bigger than the Linkin Parks or the Black Eyed Peas out there.  This explains why middle-aged men feel the compulsive urge to buy the latest Lamborghini Veneno or go sky-diving.   This helps us understand why depression ranks the highest among retired seniors more than in any age-bracket. This is because many of them feel like they are at the throes of death, yet they don't feel like they have accomplished much.  Indeed, we are created for more; our bodies are created to house the explosive presence of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus himself promised that whoever believes in Him, streams of living water will rush out of our bellies (John 7:38).  This is also the theme of Dustin Smith's latest worship live recording "Rushing Waters."  Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Smith serves as a worship leader at World Revival Church (WRC).  For the last 16-plus years, Smith has been involved in full-time ministry including the past eight years on staff at WRC.  He has previously released six independent albums with" "Rushing Waters" being his major debut for Integrity Music.  

Before we delve into an exposition of "Rushing Waters," a word needs to be said about Smith's mettle as a worship pastor.  Though there are many worship leaders who can sing a tune but few can pass the threshold of good to great.  Smith is a great worship leader because he does not just sing, he actually invest his entire being into worship when he sings.  Take a listen to tracks like "Rain Down on Us" and "Fan the Flame;" you can hear Smith throwing his whole being into worship as each word is passionately expressed with verve and conviction.  Shattered is that professional sheen that some worship leaders don; a facade that is an affront to the worship of God. Sonically, just like the eruptive impact of rushing waters, the atmosphere, the sound, the singing, the songs and the anticipation are animated, passionate, big and explosive. Album opener "Yahweh," not the Hillsong cover but an original by Smith, Michael Farren & Kyle Lee, is a ball of fire.  With drums and guitars intensifying as the worship gets more and more passionate, "Yahweh" finds Smith and his team boldly declaring the kingship of God over creation. 

The title cut "Rushing Waters" has already cascaded beyond the walls of WRC.  And it is does not take a genius to figure out why "Rushing Waters" has gain traction with many worship teams across the world.  The anthemic demeanor, the Biblically inspired words (from Rev. 19:6) and the thunderous participation of the congregation truly reflect what worship will sound like in heaven.  The other "water" related songs such as "Never Ending Flood,""Let It Rain" and "Rain Down on Us" avail for us more Spirit-soaked moments of worship.  In a highly charged album, the ballads "Breathless" and "The One That Really Matters (Chaotic Love)" are welcoming recesses from the power packed burners.  Jennifer Basler, who has a breathy voice reminiscent of Amy Grant except stronger, taking the lead on "Breathless."  While "The One that Really Matters (Chaotic Love)," co-written by Smith and Jennie Lee Riddle (who wrote Kari Jobe's "Revelation Song") finds Smith on the microphone. The pride of this song is that it captures the paradoxically effect of God's love judiciously:  "And I can't help but scream/About the way that You moved in/Chaotic love has messed me up/So I could live again."

One of the horrific tragedies of today's worship music is the adulterous divorce between worship and social justice.  This has never had any Biblical or historical precedence.  Historically, when William Gladstone was Britain's Prime Minister in the 19^th Century, he always kept three hymn writers in his cabinet.  This is because he believed that worship existed conterminously with the administration of justice.  Smith graciously reminds us of such truth in "Let Justice Roll" where he calls upon God to have compassion on the lame, the prisoners, the hurting and the desperate people.  "Rushing Waters," as a whole, reminds us that God has a bigger plan for us than just the ho-hum of sleeping, working and eating.  God has made us to house His presence as His Spirit pours out like rushing water His praise, healing and restoration.