Review: “Living Is Proof” Citizens

Proof Of Life

Life itself is one of the strongest evidences for the existence of God. The opening chapter of Romans is a powerhouse of theology and in verse 20 it says: “For since the creation of the world His (God) invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

In other words, you must account for life. For existence. For how this universe is incredibly and precisely fashioned for life to be possible. For the human body and all its miraculous functions and design. For plants, animals, and all the rest. You cannot just accidentally have all of this remarkable life appear out of sheer nothingness. Living is proof.

In 2025, Citizens released an EP entitled Living Is Proof. In just five songs, the EP covers a multitude of themes and musical growth that showcase the band “living” and flourishing once more. Their consistent output continues and provides a showcase of their evolution.

Track Highlights

The EP begins with “So Kind And It’s Freaking Me Out.” Actually, it begins with a child’s voice and saxophone. From there, it’s two minutes of joyous energy and a childlike wonder at the kindness of God. 

“From rising sun to golden gates, You’re the only reason I’ll be looking back so amazed” echoes Psalm 113:3 as the song’s infectious nature invites the listener to remember the kindness of God – for that is what leads us to repentance (Romans 2).

“Morning glory, don’t you worry” comes next, along with more saxophone! The lyrics here lay out one of the dominant themes for this EP when it says “Its okay, alright, Just let go, and realize, There is a power in weakness, You’ll never know holding tight.” While it is sure that living IS proof, surrender is a problem. 

We humans desire control in our lives. To acknowledge that there IS a God above us is to arrive at the next logical step: relent from our plans and follow His. 

In the book of Judges, there was a left-handed guy named Ehud who goes from totally over-looked by everyone (because of his left-handedness) to becoming the assassin who helps deliver Israel from a ruthless dictator. Ehud succeeds with God’s blessing BECAUSE of His left-handedness. So the very reason he was overlooked becomes the very pathway to victory.

So it is with control. This song reminds us “love is a left-handed power,” and encourages us “Just begin, it’s the dawn of something better.” If we can love and trust the God who creates and sustains us… we just might discover something greater.

Best Of The Best

“Its All In Your Hands” – I once knew a man who, for his entire life, dealt with cystic fibrosis, polio, liver disease, heart disease, and diabetes. He was one of the greatest men of God I’ve encountered in my lifetime. I heard him say during a sermon that he “had been healed of the need to be healed.” That those words came from a man who had carried physical difficulty since birth staggered me. He had reached a place where he placed everything, even healing/physical health, where it always belonged – in the hands of God. 

When Citizens sing “It’s all in Your hands, All I love and all I had, it’s all in Your hands, My losses find their purpose in Your plan, If I fall or if I stand, It’s all in Your hands” I think of that great man of God.

I think of my wife as well and some of the health challenges we have faced for her in our marriage. There has been cancer and a spinal issue that we’ve spent years trying to find answers for. **Understatement Alert** The road has not been easy.

“And if I’m being honest, The hardest part is letting go, To give up and acknowledge, All the things I can’t control” – – we can firmly identify with these lyrics.

This song is a real high point. In an era when so many popular worship songs speak of “seeing a victory” or a “miracle” or realizing “blessings” in the here and now….. to have a song that speaks so authentically about the fact that down here, in this earthly life, we may actually experience losses and pains – – this song serves the church well. 

The first chorus hits with “I surrender, with my hands up to the sky, I remember Jesus crucified, When He looked up to You, Father, And said, ‘I commit My spirit’, It’s all in Your hands.” 

Living is proof. And so are scars. They are proof that we live in a fallen world. We have experienced the healing Jesus provides with cancer (read more here). but with the spinal issues we still wait, and wait, and wait (and this is after seeing some of the most highly regarded specialists in the US). And in both cases, healing and waiting, it wasn’t in our hands. It wasn’t ours to “claim.” 

That cross-centered chorus helps us to remember – our Savior has scars as well (read more here). What a joy, what a resource to hold on to – Jesus can comfort us in the waiting because He also had to say to God “It’s all in Your hands” as He went to Calvary. 
There is a richness and a peace to walk through all of these things with my Savior by my side. A Savior who suffered.

I would commend this song to you without reservation. 

“Hold Me Up” – To close out the EP, Citizens looks back to the fruitless search for something better in the things of earth. 

“I’ve had enough, Down here in these shadows, What did I even gain? Wanting more of something less, I can’t wait any longer, I’m falling”

Living is proof, but merely existing is settling for less. It is a wisdom to see that to truly come alive is to prize the Lord above all things. When we settle for being temporarily amused by momentary distractions we miss out on being truly alive. We remain “down here in these shadows” instead of the high calling we are given in Christ.

The chorus says it well.

“Hold me up, Holy Ghost, Check my heart when I won’t let go, If I had the money and a little more home, If I had it all, would it make me whole? But I’m not sure, save my soul, I don’t want the world if it means I don’t have You”

In a sense, the ending is a beginning. To close things out well is to invite in the Holy Spirit. The way forward starts when we let the Spirit work inward. 

If living is proof, then dying to self and dying to the world is how it works. 

Colossians 3 is an incredible chapter of what the Christian life looks like and sounds like. The opening verses say this: “Therefore, if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth.”

Citizens writes it honestly and well: “Now I’m fixed on the imagery, Two hands always under me, Most days I’m keeping my head up, keeping my head up”

Life itself is one of the strongest evidences for the existence of God. And a Christian who lives with that eternal perspective confounds the world. When we refuse to settle for the stuff this world has to offer and instead prize Christ – we show a broken, messed up world that Jesus is truly worthy of it all. Living (for Him) is proof.

Thanks for reading.  Your comments and insights are always welcomed.  If you enjoyed this, please share it.  Want more content?  Check the archives, my youtube channel, or listen to me on the Cross-Cutting Culture Podcast.