The Story Behind the Song: Least of These

Hello Friends,

It's been about three weeks since we released "Least of These" on our website and we've given away about 6,000 downloads already! We are so excited and honored that this song is reaching so many people! This morning, I thought I'd sit down and give you the story behind the song.

Several years ago, I learned about a man named Joseph Kony who is responsible for Africa's longest running conflict, terrorizing 5 countries. The soldiers in Joseph Kony's rebel army (the Lord's Resistance Army) are children who are abducted from their homes and forced to fight. These children witness and endure unspeakable horrors. Sadly, most of the world is unaware of this tragedy.

In December 2008, I read an update from the organization Invisible Children (http://www.invisiblechildren.com/) that said on Christmas Eve, the Lord's Resistance Army had murdered more than 600 people and abducted at least 160 children to fight amongst its ranks. I was shocked by the savagery of Joseph Kony. And then I was grieved by the ignorance and apathy of the rest of the world. If it had been 600 Americans brutally murdered, it would have made headlines nationwide. If it had been 160 American kids who were snatched from their families and forced to kill, the world would be in an outrage. Now, as an American, I understand that American media is primarily concerned with American news. We can't report on everything that happens in the world. But as a Christian, my heart is broken by the suffering of any human, American or not. It frustrates me that because it is "only Africans" suffering, so many turn a blind eye. "Things are different in Africa" they say. But I don't think we're all that different, really. We all bleed the same color, after all. And more importantly, we all have the same Maker. And He cares for the least of these.

And so the song Least of These was born. This song is my challenge to you to remember the forgotten, the weak and the oppressed. Who is it you are tempted to ignore? Is it the homeless men at the city park? The unwanted babies who are killed before they can be born? The African woman grieving the loss of her kidnapped child? The Christian pastor alone in a prison for sharing the Good News? Don't turn away. Don't ignore them. Because they are Jesus undercover.

"Then He will say also to those on the left, 'Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you didn't take Me in; I was naked and you didn't clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didn't take care of Me.' Then they too will answer, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You?' Then He will answer them, "I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either.'" Matthew 25: 41-45


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Least of These
On the far side of Earth
A child lives in fear
Held captive by a man
Who swears that God can't hear

Or so he says...

We all bleed the same color
We all shed the same tears
We all have the same Maker
And He cares for the least of these

They say his skin is dark
So that makes him unlike us
He was built for hard work
To be owned and ruled by us

Or so we said...

We all bleed the same color
We all shed the same tears
We all have the same Maker
And He cares for the least of these (2x)

Oh, let us care for the least of these