Sian Taylor tells how a track by THE VIOLET BURNING impacted her life

The Violet Burning

Before I became a Christian swearing, drinking and having wild parties were all part of my life. Religion was never mentioned and I didn't even know what Christianity meant. But a friend of mine, Karen, was a Christian and found myself listening to her beliefs and wanting to know more. I became aware of the Christian way of life, but couldn't accept it was meant for me. But something started to get through. I read the Bible, but in secret - I was afraid of what people would think of me.

However much I wanted to deny the happiness God was bringing to Karen's life I started looking at Christian magazines and although I was still scared my heart was telling a different story. I live in Devon and there was a great radio programme on each Sunday called the Cross Rhythms Experience. I loved the music and the message in the songs. Though they got under my skin, they seemed to continually be speaking to me. I began to record the Cross Rhythms Experience hiding my feelings by saying the tapes were for Karen. Eventually, I asked Karen to tell me more about Jesus. This was a big step, admitting the truth and facing it.

That Sunday, 20th March, the whole hour's programme spoke to me. It was as if God was communicating 'directly through the airwaves. There was a song which spoke about how humanity had fallen into something called sin (Don Francisco's "Adam"), there was a rap song that spoke of a world gone crazy and our desperate need to be cleansed by God's Spirit (N-Daze's "Purifier"), then there was a message from an American guy challenging people to commit their ways to Jesus (Glenn Kaiser's "Preach And Prayer"). That was when I did it, I started mumbling a prayer and finding it wasn't so bad after all.

As the next song played, Violet Burning's "I Will Always Stand By You", I felt totally at peace with myself and I knew I had found what I wanted. I played the tape back and prayed again - this time I meant it with my whole being. I knew the time had come and I had made that commitment giving my life to God.

A lot has happened since then. I have shared with my family and I know that I am living my life for God. But I'll never forget that Sunday evening when I sat with my radio and tape recorder and found the most precious thing someone can find.

I Will Always Stand By You
by Michael Prit

Hey, do you feel afraid ?
Do you feel so alone ?
Have you gone so far from home ?
Well I know, cause I've been there too
It hurts so bad, it breaks you in two.

I will always stand by you
I will always love you
So cry out to Me
And I will run to thee
When the night comes down on you

Hey won't you let me be real ?
Let me show you how I feel about you
Cause you're precious to me
Oh can't you see you're the one
You're the one I died for

© Thankyou Music Ltd Reprinted with permission