SPECIAL FEATURE REPRINTED FROM THE MANITOWOC HERALD-TIMES REPORTER:McCurdy’s Anthem Stirs Up a Desire for Renewal

How can preaching a blunt message of God’s Law sound so good? Ask Pat McCurdy, because he exposes our misdeeds and gets the crowd to sing along enthusiastically.

McCurdy is a singer/songwriter and a regional favorite because of his humorous, audience participation shows. Playing at the Sail (Young Professionals Network) gathering at the Maritime Museum roof deck on Friday, August 10, McCurdy sang “Ruin My Life” which got everyone singing the chorus: “Tonight I wanna ruin my life/I’m going to throw it all away in a spectacular way…I’m going to do something dumb and I don’t care.”

It could be a “throw caution to the wind,” “let’s get crazy” anthem of the partying crowd except that they lyrics remind you of the morning after realities: “I know I’ll miss the family/Miss the house, the dog, and the Jeep Cherokee.”

A lot of rock songs and dance club favorites get you thinking about hooking up, getting drunk, getting high, and leaving your responsibilities behind. Here McCurdy draws you in with a song that sounds just like that idea, and then he turns it around on you. He reminds you that no matter how much sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll you have tonight, tomorrow you’ll face a wasted life. One time of following through on doing something dumb could mean the losing a spouse, children, parents, extended family, job, and house.

How many other popular singers get you to second guess your plan for a weekend bender, a one night stand, a little something on the side, or leaving it all in Las Vegas?

A friend at the show Friday tried to convince me that McCurdy tones it down and plays church camps. Although that’s not true, my friend thought that might make me as a pastor feel better about being at the adult-themed show.

However, I’d let McCurdy play “Ruin My Life” at a church retreat, because his playful song makes you realize how much you could lose by following a desire for a quick high. We already have ruined lives because of our sin, and McCurdy’s song points out how close we often come to making things even worse.

Yet, God takes our ruined lives and makes them renewed lives. He sees the pains we cause ourselves by our actions, and He forgives us through Jesus Christ. He watches as we hurt others around us, and He works His Spirit of love in us so that we can seek to be restored with family and friends. In our sinful desires, we want to keep ruining our lives, but because of Jesus working His will in our hearts, we see that what we really want is to have a renewed life through Christ.

This article is reprinted with kind permission from the Manitowoc Herald-Times Reporter, Saturday, August 18, 2007. www.htrnews.com Thank you to Pat McCurdy.