Proclaim Trust

Maya Brennan's Story - The Voice of Clannad

Many years ago when I was a drug addict, music was also a big part of my life. I remember during the time that I lived in Moss Side there was one particular band that I used the listen to called “Clanned”. Clanned are from Ireland and their sound is unique; it’s a mixture of Gaelic tones, a simplistic rhythm and ghost like vocals. The lead vocalist is called Moya Brennan.

Recently, I was reading a book and I was pleasantly surprised and somewhat shocked to find out that she is now a Christian. Here is her story: -

I was brought up within the church – that was very strong in my family. My parents used to bring us to the local chapel every Sunday. That early information was really important, because when I had lost my way in later life, I at least knew who to turn to.

So there I was, singing in the famous Clannad band, with people going on about my haunting, angel-like voice, and thinking I was as happy in real life as I pretended to be on stage. But inside, I was empty. Inside, I was missing so much! I had experienced the trauma of an abortion, with all the guilt and bitter regret that it brought. I was famous, but I was so lonely. I was travelling all over the world, performing to packed audiences – you’re so far from home, you’re there by yourself. For a while drink and drugs were part of my life.

My singing gave expression to a deep sense of yearning, of wanting something – a friendship – someone to lean on. I asked God to forgive my past sins and give me inner peace. And God answered me. Coming to know him in a personal way was a very gradual thing for me, so much so that at one stage, after hearing some dramatic testimonies about how others had come to believe in Him, I thought I couldn’t really call myself a Christian. Yet God brought me in slowly yet very surely, and I’m still growing strong with the knowledge that He’s there, just building me up in my relationship with Him.

My life is so different now with the Jesus I know. I’m just so happy. I feel so blessed. I can manage anything. You know, when God is in your life, nothing is impossible. Having a relationship with Him is so amazing. You get up in the morning and you know that you’re not alone. The big thing for me is to try to involve him in everything I do. It can be a lonely place on the road, living out of a suitcase – but when you’ve got “The Best” with you, you can handle anything! As I wrote in one of my songs, there’s such a great hope out there; a banner of hope when you come to know Jesus and begin to follow His word, when God becomes your God and gently calls you into a new way.

After reading this I thought “isn’t that amazing?” In the days that I used to listen to her music she was as far away from God as I was but today she is a Christian because God has been on her case. Is God on your case too?