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.
So here's "Meant to Live" -
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