"Could be she got lost or maybe she just watched a little too much TV..."
So begins this week's featured song "Angels" by All-Star United, written almost 20 years ago.
All-Star United was one of my favorite bands as their songs were filled with sarcasm and criticism of Western self-indulgence. "Angels" is spot on as it describes the the wandering "drifting satellite" nature of post-modern youth. In fact, it really fits much of our culture at large, regardless of age. Sure, the Lord is faithfully watching out for his own (which is what the 'Angels' are doing in this song), but how many are just adrift, chasing after one thing or another. Whatever makes us feel good, whatever seems fun, we'll try it out and jump in headfirst. The author of Ecclesiastes tried it all too. Chapter 2:1-11 detail how he chased after pleasure it all it's various forms to find meaning:
"And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found...and behold, all was vanity and a striving after the wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun."
The pleasures of life have their place, but they are gifts not goals. Christ has blessed us with entertainment, food and drink, creativity, and wealth. But those things are not the 'be all, end all'.
Hopefully, we can wake up to the meaninglessness of these worldly pursuits and recognize God's guiding hand on us that is prompting us to a better way. Hopefully, we can listen to the "angels holding our hands as we walk through the dark".
I can easily be bumped out of my routine. Funerals, conferences, meetings, and other ministry stuff can all conspire to distract me from things I intend to do.
One of the casualties of this is usually this blog...but here we go again, attempting some semblence of consistency. Consistency - especially in offering my comments on the intersection between faith and music.
Our new series will be working through the book of Ecclesiastes. Of all the books in Holy Scripture, Ecclesiastes offers the gloomiest of perspectives. It's a book that resonates with all who have been discouraged and disillusioned with life. "Vanity" or "Meaningless" are the key words, depending on your translation.
The search for purpose and significance is universal, and at face value, this book seems to offer little-to-no hope. Once you understand the book below the surface - at 'soul value' if you'll permit me to make up a term - you'll understand that all of the book's darkness is meant to point us to the only constant light.
"Fear God and obey his commandments...this is the whole duty of man" chapter twelve concludes. Fulfillment in this life can only be found in an earnest pursuit of God.
So where does this leave us musically? Should I google "depressing songs about faith"? Should I dust off some old 'Emo' selections #DashboardConfessional?
I'm going to go with a song I once liked, then disliked, and now kind of appreciate. This song's popularity launched Switchfoot into the national music consciousness. And the fact that it was playing everywhere eventually led to the band being uncool within the Christian subcultures where I lived. The message of this song matches the message of Ecclesiastes pretty well however. It, like the OT book, points us to something greater. A purpose beyond the mediocrity that dominates much of life.
