Stellar Kart: Ones and Zeros (Audio)
Inspiration Behind Ones and Zeros:
The Ones and Zeros represent an anthem for unity and the value of human life despite the flaws, imperfections and weaknesses that exist within every human being. Not everyone is a gifted athlete who can shine on a ballfield. We are all created differently, diverse with special gifts and talents that either go unappreciated or unrecognized until later on in life. The opening lyrics point to human fragility, falling down time after time. Despite whatever failures you may endure in life, Ones and Zeros speak to being incomplete, living and learning via trial and errors.
Biblical Application:
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully, Romans 12:3-8.
Exegesis of Ones and Zeros:
Ashes to ashes, we all fall down
Dust to dust, scattered on the ground
Living in the shadows
Where fear can’t fight
A hope of redemption
None left behind
A voice for those who can’t say a word
To the ears of those who never have heard
It’s the sound that echoes through the night
This song starts with a childhood song about making mistakes in life. Failure and humility often lead human beings to withdraw, living in the shadows of the gifted and talented. To those who rarely succeed, fear may keep you from taking chances in life. While there may be hope for redemption, doubt and unbelief can erode any glimpses of hope. The final 3 lines leading up to the chorus serve as a call that you are not alone.
We are the ones
We are the ones and zeros
The beautiful incomplete
We are the ones
We are the future heroes
A colorful symphony
We are the ones
While it’s never pleasant to fail, the chorus encourages the individuals labeled as ones and zeros to come together. Don’t view this as a permeant status. Rather, as a work in progress. While you may currently be incomplete, you have a bright future.
The dawn or the twilight
It’s all the same
Clear eyes at midnight
We’re all to blame
Chosen for freedom with undue worth
Standing for something that can’t be earned
A voice for those who can’t say a word
To the ears of those who never have heard
It’s the sound that echoes through the night
This stanza serves as a reminder that life is hard as human beings are flawed, fallen creatures with a tendency to fail. Although it’s one thing to accept this reality, you don’t have to live in this humbled state your entire life. There is a message of hope that exists.
We are the ones
We are the ones and zeros
The beautiful incomplete
We are the ones
We are the future heroes
A colorful symphony
We are the ones
Don’t look at yourself as who you are. Begin to see the person that you will become. This positive mindset opens the door to be elevated to the status of future hero. Don’t let failure hold you down. Rise above the ashes of defeat.
Final Thoughts:
After starting my baseball coaching career with 3 straight championships, my 4th year was a complete and total disaster. Injuries and lost players sent this team into a long losing streak to start the season. Every week we found new ways to lose a game. It was during this season that I stumbled upon Ones and Zeros by Stellar Kart. I created a mix for practices, adding this song to my playlist. Although the message of Ones and Zeros may not have resonated with every player, this team improved immensely, battling to the final out. While we were offensively challenged, we did sniff out a few wins before losing in the first round of the playoffs. Whenever I feel defeated today, I play Ones and Zeros to remind me that life is a journey, as human beings are a work in progress.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 