Justin McRoberts has been a vital
voice in my spiritual formation for most of my life. Introduced to me through
his music, Justin’s songs became the words that my heart was longing to sing as
an unwitting adolescent. As I grew older, having the opportunity to see Justin perform
live, his voice continued to point out the numerous areas in my life that God
wanted to speak into. Justin continues translating God’s voice to the deepest
parts of me, through his life, music, and now the forthright pages of CMYK,
with attitudes of faith and life that I can only hope take root in my daily
walk. I thank God that He has chosen to use Justin to open peoples’ eyes to His
presence.
Whimsical, convicting, redemptive, candid,
hopeful and humble—even heart retching at times—CMYK shows how life together is
not painstaking and perfect, but, in many ways, pain giving and yet remarkably good. Spoken through music, visual art,
storytelling, and personal letters, this project has more dimensions to it than
the typical book and, when you allow every aspect of it to surround you, it’s
unclear if you should laugh or cry, sing or bask in the Truth that is brought
forth. The stories shared are far more then anecdotes to inspire us into some form
of limited action (though it does call us to a lively action), but with a
prophetic voice Justin tells the brutal truth of the human condition and points
us to a Creator and a story of the future “that we expect can and will be
fulfilled.” CMYK shows us three underlying aspects of life that are rarely
discussed (particularly in the church): “the necessary role of relationship in
the formation of identity, the essential role of darkness in finding clarity,
[and] the basic commonality of seemingly incompatible images.” This is also
conveyed through the various mediums used for this project, shining light on
the fact that all things belong to God, particularly creativity and Art. Wrapped
in grace, this book speaks of the atrocities of the world, not to give them
explanation, but to live through them—seeing God in every step of the way.
One of the more endearing qualities
of CMYK is the inability to separate the songs and stories from the relationships
they stem from, making it “clear that a beautiful and meaningful life is lived
and worked together.” Crafting a personal and modern equivalent to Dietrich
Bonhoefer’s treasured book Life Together,
Justin allows God to speak through the audacious life he has walked with Jesus
and others. Whether an account of courting his wife or friends lost along the
way, Justin shows us the beauty that is living out of the Truth of Jesus Christ
together. CMYK is a must-read for everyone who calls themselves Christian
and/or honestly struggles with their spiritual existence, not for instruction
or exegesis, but for the rawness and humility of Justin’s own faith journey;
because, it’s not just his, but a part of this story we’re all in together.
