I love this song. I first heard it playing in the halls of my church a few weeks ago. The words are haunting. Regina Spektor has always incorporated scriptural and spiritual themes throughout her music, but she never tells you to believe one way or the other; instead I think her art begs the listeners to think for themselves. And this song definitely stirred up the think tank.
When I found the song on YouTube I noticed it had been viewed nearly 500,000 times (denoting that whether you like her or the song, it is culturally relevant, she is impacting people one way or the other) and there were already well over 3,000 comments. A debate was broiling. What does the song mean? Is it for Christians? Is it for Atheists? Can it be for both? What does it mean that we are all laughing with God? What does it say about God’s character? What does it say about humanity? You can read some of their comments below.
Of course there are always people who want to pick a fight or prove a point, but the vast majority of comments seemed well thought out. And the comments intrigued me. The more I read, the more engrossed I got. Page after page I read people’s thoughts on God, religion, and humanity. I felt like an audience member for a Dr. Phil taping. I felt like a sociologist doing cross-cultural research. Then, slowly, I felt like a believer in Jesus who was simply eavesdropping on a conversation someone was having about me. I was listening in as someone talked about me. About my savior. About my way of life.
For a moment I was shell-shocked. I forget that my beliefs are quite alien and foreign. I forget that not everyone believes the way I believe. I forget that many people have many reasons to denounce that which I have committed myself to. I, the lover of diversity and freedom of choice, was momentarily overwhelmed by how detached from reality I have really become. I’ve been walking around with my head in the clouds; there is a huge, huge world out there.
If you have been raised in an evangelical background, like myself, you were taught that people were either “Saved” or “Unsaved.” Then we got politically correct and decided that it was a slap in the face to tell someone they were “lost” or unsaved, so we changed it to “seekers.” Now, I am not sure what the PC term is, but I know this, if I were on the other side of things, the only label I would want would be human, friend, or person. Being known as unsaved or lost would inherently mean that I was a project to those around me, a thing to be converted, or an object to be won and changed.
And while I love that God has called me to be a part of His love and work in the world, it is He who labels, He who changes, He who authors true conversion… if He does that through me because I have been a friend, because I have loved, because I have been honest and real with those around me, then may it be so. But I can only confess that He alone knows a man’s heart and truly saves that which is lost, broken, and hurting.
I do pray for sensitivity. Not because I am not brave enough or bold enough to share what God has done in my life. Not because I am ashamed of what I believe. Not because I believe that it is wrong to share my beliefs… I choose sensitivity because a person’s faith, their spirituality, and the messy business of knowing and following Christ is quite the journey. In my experience it’s not as easy as a simple prayer and I certainly did not choose to follow Christ out of the fear of hell. A pamphlet or “track” would not have done the trick, nor would a strange person walking up to me in the mall asking private questions about my soul. Forcing God on people has clearly not worked.
So my question today is: In a world full of real people, with real beliefs, real pain, real joy, real life… what relevant role can a Christian play in the spiritual journey of another human?
That’s the sort of question that I must wrestle with. Today I am reminded, not everyone speaks my language.
“Laughing With” YouTube Comments:
(please note: UNCENSORED comments)
(please note: UNCENSORED comments)
"I understand what Epowerboy means when he says he doesn't want to be saved. I think he means he doesn't need to be saved because there is nothing to be saved from. Saved from sin? A sin is a sin only if you believe in those sins. They mean nothing to a non-believer. Many people lead good lives without the need for a God or religious guidelines."
"This song is powerful. Its meaning is so deep because it's not trying to tell you a specific answer about who God is, but simply pointing out something all of us can completely agree with and understand: that we as humans are beings of such limited scope and control over our circumstances. There are times in our lives when we are humbled by the vastness of creation -- by it's beauty and its sorrow. And this tells us something about The Creator."
"I laugh at all those moments with the mention of gods. I'm facing down the barrel of a shortened life of continued levels of pain, and I am laughing right now at this song, at the idea of gods, right at this moment. Just because something feels nice, doesn't make it any less a delusional idea. Just because something is comforting, doesn't make it true. It would be nice if clouds were made of ice cream too, but so what? It's childish, it's wishful thinking. It's just sad."
"In reference to the person who said, “All you idiots who don’t believe are going to hell.” A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another," John 13: 34-35. If you, yourself, believe you are a Christian you would present such a statement with more grace. You should be ashamed of the way you said this; Christ would not have done so. Grow up, read your Bible."
"This song is a cheap shot to all the people who find religion in desperation. It would be like making a song about how No one thanks god when their child is born with a disability. Regina has one thing right though - God really isn't funny because A - he doesn't exist, and B - if by some chance he did exist and all the things attributed to him were true, he'd be the most sinister bastard in the Universe."
"I don't see this song as anti-religious at all. Half is the old, "There are no atheists in foxholes," idea, which I agree with. The other half is a comment on the kind of shallow (and yes, laughable) faith that reduces God to Jiminy Cricket, a Genie and Santa Claus. Not all Christians see God so small, or simplistically, but the ones who do will likely find the song offensive. Faith and belief are complex. This song illustrates that beautifully. I was simultaneously moved and convicted by it."
"I think this song is beautiful satire at the idea that while a person whom is going thro a traumatic moment may ask "God, why me?" and not even have to believe in any god at all; and yet, when things are working fine or one is better off, the idea of a being controlling fate may become a humorous reflection. In the end, though, we're all laughing at our helplessness, whether we believe or not. I don't believe, just for the record."
29 comments:
Because I live under a rock (and because my husband is sleeping and I can't listen to the song now) I have never heard of this person or the song. I did read through your post and I'm trying to think some deep thoughts. But it's late, and it's not working. I don't want to be a blurker though, so I'll try again tomorrow ;)
before i write anything else, i wanna say that the other day i heard this same song and i felt nothing. and i thought of nothing except how different her voice is. i didn't even really hear the words. Until today. So...
WOW. congratulations on your first Hot Topic. it is that and much more. As i read through your own words, i felt them relatable. I felt the words you wrote & felt convicted. Im 17 & still trying to figure all this out. I am a Christian & love all the feelings that come with it. i love doubting, i love questioning, i love feeling God near me or not so near me just the same. Both remind me that i need someone more powerful than me taking over my life. And i love having faith whether people believe what i believe or not.
I gotta admit though, while i was reading the comments people posted on Youtube i had all sorts of feelings going through my mind. A bit of rage, sympathy, agreement, love, peace, hope, doubts etc. i think i felt everything. it does make me upset and kinda angry when i see people talk about one's or my beliefs like they do. But your blog reminded me that they're not lost, they're not seeking, they're not unsaved. They are human, just like we are. & whether they believe what i believe or not, God, the one in whom i believe still loves them. And i should love them as well.
ahhh! i don't even know what else to say because you've made me think sooooooo much. I love this "Tough Topic Tuesday" stuff. (even if this is the first) i can't wait till next tuesday!
love love!
"what relevant role can a Christian play in the spiritual journey of another human?"
Maybe we can lay off the masculine pronouns for God...how will my daughters ever learn of the feminine side of God if they only hear through the filters of the masculine....
me, sc, your dad
I love this song too Jenny! I heard it about a month ago and was so struck by the lyrics. They're really convicting. I love that the verses talk about how a lot of people don't take God seriously unless they're in a crisis. Then the chorus takes a turn and talks about Christians who deliver the message in a judgemental way. So it really speaks to both sides of the spectrum. I love the honesty of it. It really makes you think. And it looks like it has spurred a lot of converstaion, which is always a good thing.
And I really like the question that you asked at the end. It's kind of a question I've been thinking about lately as well. I recently got in touch with an old friend of mine. We hadn't talked in years. My family and hers were really close at one point and through the years just lost touch. I was really sad to find out that she and her brother have gotten away from the Lord. Her brother still seems like he is seeking, but she has given up completely. I'm praying for them to find their way back and I really believe that God is opening up the doors for some good conversations between us. But I really feel like the best thing I can do is just get to know them all over again. Be their friend. Love them and care about them. Instead of trying to push it down their throats, or inviting them to church right now when I know the way they feel about it. I feel like being their friend and showing them love is the best way I can play a relevant role in their spiritual journey.
Thanks for the insights Jenny. I really enjoy reading your blogs. :)
Hi Jenny :-)
wow I have so many thoughts on this but I can't voice them now I am very short on time. I am getting ready to take my husband to the train. I hope you don't mind me waiting for an answer and I will take it down ASAP if you tell me to but I hope you don't mind that I am going to adertise your blog by linking this post in my FB. iIs just one of those things that is too good not to promote so more ppl no matter how society has labeled them can hopefully catch a glimpse that everyone is truely just a person. Yes there are things that make us different, and as a Follower of Christ I do believe I am set apart but so could be everyone else if they just have the freedom to come to Him in the way He calls When He calls. and in the meantime to be respected and lved just as any one who is labeled 'Saved'
Those labels wont make a big difference unless God Himself labels us when we enter heaven and even as labeling myself 'saved' there are time I can also label myslef 'confused' or 'lost' or 'lonely' or any one of those things that many believe a 'saved' person can't or shouldn't be.
Then I think about all those 'saved', 'lost' 'lonely' and 'confused' ppl of the bible the God used and remember I can be saved but only by the grace of God and it all started wil His perfect love.
ok gotta run. Have a great day and thank you as usual for an awesome post :-)
I have a hard time seeing how an atheist could think this song is for them. What I hear is her saying that people laugh at god in the good times, but always turn that way in the bad. Its not necessarily untrue either. You see many people, prisoners, addicts, etc. turning to religion and some god. its logical that when you can't gain control of your own life you would want to turn it over to someone else.
Again I enjoyed your post trememndously, and normally i am content to read without commenting, but this time I want to try and make you aware of one thing. You say, "I can only confess that He alone knows a man’s heart and truly saves that which is lost, broken, and hurting."
Why can a man not save himself and be responsible for his own heart? Why is it that someone can't know their own heart, and fix something if they decide it is wrong rather than hope that it will be fixed for them? Would you really not appreciate the strength and independence that such a life would require? If its tough topic Tuesday, I figured I would pose one more tough question. I did enjoy the song though, she has a great unique voice, something I have always loved about you as well.
It seems like relevance is out there in so many ways- we (the church) need to be relevant so people want to come, we (Christians) need to be relevant so we are able to reach those who are not, we (people) need to be relevant so that we can be connected to others. I see the church trying too hard to be relevant in the wrong ways- trying too hard to be P.C., trying too hard to be a place anyone will feel welcome, trying too hard to take from culture and make something "Christian", even trying too hard to be someone's friend rather than sharing our faith with them. I'm not sure what the balance is, but I think genuine love is the only way to truly be relevant today. I'm not going to let someone I love do something destructive in order to save our friendship, so I can't lay off reaching out to those in my circle who aren't Christians just to avoid turning them off of me, the church, God, etc. We are called to spread the Good News, and as much as social justice and compassion and those issues are a part of the Good News, Jesus never backed away from telling it like it is. We need to do the same- we can't wander the malls handing out tracts, but we also can't wander the streets serving meals without sharing the whole story. Thanks for the morning stimulation.
Extremely thought-provoking! Thank you Jenny for shaking us out of our complacency and thinking outside of the little box we try to fit God into!
Really like this new idea! =)I love how God gave us these beautiful minds to think and ponder!
Hm..well I go to a very secular high school with alot of religions floating around, a good dose of relativism and a suprising lack of any passionate followers of Christ. We truly are foreigners in this world. =) So I completely vouch for it being completely by God moving people coming to acknowledge Him as Lord, we can reason, present beautiful logic, which helps to get them there, but it's ultimately up to the spirit moving.
So "what relevant role can a Christian play in the spiritual journey of another human?" by relevant I guess you mean appropriate? Cos I gotta agree with Ponderingwanderer, the church has gone to both extreemes of "relevance". I think ultimately Christians need to be able to love, care, all while letting our faith shine naturally. Because when you love, you care about what the other feels, needs and try hard to strike the balance between sensitivity but saying what needs to be said. Ofcourse, all so much easier said than done, and I personally keep having issues seeing what it practically looks like, "So I say what when they say that?". But I think that's why we have our community called Church, where we can learn and practise loving and caring and then extend that to others.
I dunno, I think when we really live out the culture Christ has called us to live, it all flows. I guess sometimes the church gets a little too excited about evangelism, that it lacks pacing or effectiveness cos we're too hasty. Oh and we forget that yes there's only one truth and saviour, but no works-for-all-evanglism-technique. It all takes time, effort, seeking God and loving.
opps..sorry this is so long..hehe thanks again for a lovely post
I have often thought of this question. I agree with the things you have said about people being human. I can't say for sure whats the best way to witness as we as humans are very different in what moves us and what we want to hear. Its only natural if someone is coming at you forcefully and challenging your beliefs that you will defend them. So if I was a non-believer and someone came at me with Hellfire and Brimstone... I would stand my ground and say "Don't sing it, just bring it!" I know this only because as a Christian I occasionally get into debates with non-believers and I feel that way when my belief system is attacked.
All I know is since my return to my Christian journey(and I have a LONG way to go) I have learned it is a lot bigger than I remember growing up and people have a lot of theories and sensitivities. It can be quite overwhelming at times, but it is a journey worth taking.
I have only my simple testominony to show my belief that God exists. I had fallen away from my faith and had started a job working on Sundays. This job had me interact with multiple customers. Every sunday at least two or three people talked to me about God and church. I would politely resond with that I was a "Backsliding Christian" and thank them for their time. After a while it got to where it was happening during the week. That coupled with other things finally brought me to go to a church one couple had mentioned. Thus started my journey. The thing of it all is that once I started going to church no one else ever said a word to me again about God unless I brought it up.
I know this doesn't sound like much but it goes along with your blog about God speaking to you about finances through others.
I feel that for me it was GOD'S IDEA that I get back to my journey, but it was my decision in the end. He just didn't let up. I personally wasn't ready and was getting tired of people bringing the subject up. The thing is in my case witnessing worked.
Other people might need to see actions, or experience a tragedy. No matter what reaches people...in the end they have to be the ones open their eyes, ears, and heart to the fact that God is reaching out to them. Oh, and i agree with you completely that only God can truly know what lies in anothers heart and only God has the power to save. I have rambled enough. Thanks for your time, and keep blogging. Your doing great!!!
Sincerely,
--A Blurker
Today is Man Day for me. You can find out what that's about at www.facebook.com/JoshWax if you'd like. Anyway, that means that I won't be commenting on the song today, seeing as how it's not too manly. I will say, however, that it kind of reminds me of Jars of Clay's "Oh My God"... Parts of it anyway, "no one laughs at God in a hospital..." When we are so low in life that we realize we actually need him... when we've truly hit rock-bottom, we begin to take God seriously and pray that he's truly there listening.
That's all I'm allowing myself to say today. I'll try to come back tomorrow when I'm not being as manly.
Never heard the song, didn't really like it, but liked your "Tough Topic Tuesday" idea, I might post something for Thursday...
Challenging thoughts..Once again I find my thoughts putting God in a box and limiting Him and his Awesomeness..We are to be the beacons a lighthouse for those in darkness. Not a sledge hammer pounding them.
PS. Can't wait to see and hear you Sunday in Indy! merita
I really appreciate you mentioning this. For a long time I was evangelical and went to a church that operated that way. I stopped going when the judgment and the criticism began to be too much. I realized that it wasn't the place for me, although God and Jesus are definitely for me. :) I think it's very important to realize that a lot of people out there have been burned by experiences in church (unfortunately) or are turned off to the idea of God for a variety of reasons. I think we can only reach people through love, and not judging them or labeling them as "saved" or "unsaved". God is the only judge.
I believe the best way we can impact non-Christians is to keep our eyes on God, following His Spirit. When our hearts are open to Him, then He can direct us in the lives of others. This can lead to some very interesting encounters.
Doing what we "think" we should do in a situation (ie: witnessing because we think we should) can cause problems and even sometimes distance the person farther from God.
Jenny-would love for you to comment on my post:
http://gracenotes95.blogspot.com/2009/08/tough-topic-thursday.html
Hope to hear from you!
Hi, Jenny - great first entry!
Peter here, haven't learned how to register yet.
Remembering that the Christian way of life is a supernatural way of life, and as such, incomprehensible ("foolish") to unbelievers (I use the term without prejudice) we would like to see saved, Jesus pointed out the three things unbelievers can comprehend about the spiritual world - those that the Holy Spirit convicts: sin, righteousness and judgment (John 16:8-11). Apart from those, any discussion about God can only be handled philosophically by the unbeliever. Seekers will seek, and the negative will not. We can only be a fragrant aroma for the seekers until the opportunity comes to address issues; to the negative, our witness carries the aroma of death. Without knowing what is in the heart of a person, we can - at best - only live our lives as unto the Lord, being open to those we encounter, but never knowing their hearts unless they themselves reveal their hearts (part of the reason I love your music so much - it speaks to the heart!) If we follow the leading of God (who is omniscient and desires all to be saved and come to a full knowledge of Him), we stand our best chance of thinking, saying and doing what will best serve seekers we may encounter along our path.
1. I am a fan of Though Topic Tuesday. HOORAY! for thinking through the things that really matter.
2. Thank you, Steve. Agreed. We need to re-embrace so many other ways of describing God: masculine, feminine, and neutral ways of describing God.
3. I have been encountering this same sort of message all over the place. (Not really sure what God is trying to tell me, but there is something...). The last line of the song "we're all laughing WITH God" really brings the whole song into a different perspective for me. It takes every other thing mentioned and puts it in the light of relationship. Of being WITH a God who is not only in the good or only in the bad, but it everything we see and experience. God does not cause us to be in wars or in hospitals or to be poor or etc. etc. but, God is with us through all of those things. AND, what is even better, God is using all those things for Good. I first came across this idea of a God who uses all situations for good in the novel, Perelandra, by CS Lewis. There is a wonderful passage about how we make our own choices (you know, that whole free will thing), but we are not so powerful that we can bend God's will like a leaf in the wind. God will use whatever choices we make to further the perfect will of Love. (well, technically, I encountered this idea before that in scripture as a very young child, but I really did NOT pick up on it). I recently read the novel, The Shack, and saw this same idea. And here it is again in this fantastic song!
It really is a wonderful thought--that we can live in relationship with a God who can use all of our choices, even those which seem so destructive, for Good. And what an even better thought, to know that the more we live in that relationship--the more we truly live IN Christ, the more often our choices will be constructive and creative rather than hurtful and destructive. But, the key is that in it all we are in relationship with God. Laughing WITH God.
the more and more i listen to it, the more and more i like it. makes me wanna get her albums
Hi Jenny! I'm yet another "blurker", as I've been following your blog for over a year, but I have only commented a couple of times.
I used to listen to Regina Spektor a lot, but kinda forgot about her. Your blog post has made me want to go check out her new stuff cuz I like it!
As far as her song goes, I think a lot of those youtube commenters make the song more complicated than it is. Like others have said, I think the song is calling society out for the way we laugh at God, but in time of need, we all run to him. This shows that deep down in the human psyche, all of us know that God is I AM. Even the atheists and agnostics deep down feel that there is something more, and that something is God.
I agree that I hate how we as Christians judge someone else's relationship with Christ. But at the same time, I would have to defend the labels "saved" and "unsaved". Yes, it means we are judging, but they're just labels. If we call someone "unsaved" that doesn't mean they are going to hell. (I know you know this, I'm just saying...) These labels are just a bit of "Christian lingo" (sounds awful but I guess that's what it is!) that let us express to each other where we think someone else might be in their walk with Christ. By knowing where someone stands with Him, we can better know how we should approach them about Christ. If they are a fellow sibling in Him, we can encourage them to be the best they can be for Him. If they seem to be "lost", we know that we need to really show God's love to them and testify to what He has done in our own life.
I agree that there are different ways to share Christ. Sometimes it's best to be direct, but a lot of the time, in the American culture, it's best to build a relationship with the person first.
Like the tough topics, also like the fun stuff. Keep up the good writing!
Ryan, yes, we need to take responsibility for our own hearts and actions, but as to saving or fixing ourselves, I don't think it's possible. Isn't that what the Bible as a whole communicates? When we try to go it alone, we screw it up. Adam and Eve. Throughout the book of Judges, when the Hebrew army tries to make its own decisions, fix its own problems: massacre. failure. no good. God fixes us. We are active participants, but God knows us so much better and so much deeper than we even know ourselves (especially since the large majority of our physical/mental/spiritual existence is unknown to us). We are beautifully made, but to live in wholeness means to submit fully to God and to live in and through God's love.
Crystal, while I understand your point that we have to have some kind of lexicon to discuss salvation, I think it is very dangerous to say the words we use are "JUST" anything. Words are AMAZINGLY POWERFUL! (I don't think anyone who reads this blog would disagree with that...) Labels limit the way we view each other, which is contrary, I think, to how we are meant to have relationship. We should always be striving to look at each other with the eyes of our Lord, who looks at each one of us fully without judgment, shame, or guilt, but with compassion, honesty, and gracious love. If we continue labeling each other as "saved" "unsaved" "searching" etc. etc. etc., we will never achieve the relationships for which we were created. We are all broken. We are all searching. We have all fallen. BUT we are ALL also created in God's image. And we are ALL in the process of acknowledging our reconciliation with our Creator, our beloved. Labels just keep the scales on our eyes. We should never excuse them out of convenience or because that's just the way things are.
Caroline, good point, and I agree. I was just pointing out that the labels have originated just as a way to help us communicate to each other (since we have to have a word for everything *roll eyes*). Even when I know someone is "unsaved", it doesn't really change how I act around them. I'm still good friends with a lot of seemingly "unsaved" people. So yes, labels can stick people into a mold, which I hate. But most people know when they are "saved" or "unsaved" so the labels don't seem to affect them too much (at least as far as my friends go...).
What I was really getting at, was that how we refer to people has no actual affect on whether they're His child or not. Either they are or they aren't. What we call them makes no difference as whether they are going to heaven or hell. But yeah... good point haha.
Reading some of those comments made me gasp. You are so right! We don't all speak the same language.
I was at a camp a few weeks back and I thought the way the speaker put it was really different, and the more I thought about it true. He called unbelievers sick. He said they are sick because the real idea of normal is having Christ in you.. God made us to have his glory shining through us... And if we don't have that we are sick, and the sad part is because so many of us are sick we think that sick is normal... Anyways I just thought of that when I was reading the part about the name for people who don't believe in Christ.
Oh and I really liked the second to last comment, it was really thoughtful.
this has plagued me for sometime now and i'm glad to have found another Christian that sees this the same as i do. i'm gonna have to put my response in the mail with the gift card for you to read cause this is going to take a lot of thought and get extremely vulnerable...
Wow, this song is something else. As a Christian, I love how it points out some of the things that almost all humans do. They neglect and laugh at _____ (insert a human, object, or god) until tragedy strikes and they turn to _____ in desperation. Then, so often after the tragedy is over, we go back and forget what we prayed, or begged, or made empty promises for. I think the "Christian" culture promotes some of the biggest hypocrites ever. We often do this, admit it, we do. We go on living our lives, something happens, and we plead with God to help us. We promise that we'll give more money to the church (which as a whole, is corrupted) and say we'll pray, become missionaries, or whatever just to prevent the tragedy, whatever it is, from happening. Then, a month later, we don't give money, we don't pray, we don't go to a foreign nation. We sit on our butts until something else happens and respond in the same way. We started this game, and soon the atheist followed. And, we criticize those who don't believe and do the same things as us... my point is, we started this. Only I made those 3 simple words morph into a huge beast of a comment. I commend you if you've read this far.
I'm probably the odd one out on this forum, I'm a Christian, but don't listen to a lot of Christian music as I get tired of listening to lyrics that are so culturally irrelevant outside of the church box, that said I am on my church's worship team, I just really don't like the CCM music scene. Of course I don't like the pop scene either, but I LOVE artist like Regina Spektor, who for the curious was raised orthodox jewish, and I beleive she still is a practicing Jew, at least her pr people say she is. So How did I wind up here, well my wife is sitting behind me right now on her Roland hammering away trying to figure out the ins and outs and repeggios and timing to "What do i know" So, I've heard of Addison Road for the first time to my knowlege tonight. I have to say, the one song I've heard I really like, and will definately give some others a try, I'm sure my family is tired of Jars of Clay by now as I've had them in the CD player for months (one of the rare CCM artist I like, respect, and listen to)
on to the points being raised by this conversation. The reality is there is a foreign language called Church Speak. It's not taught in any schools, well, it might be in Seminaries, but you really have to know it in order to attend Church on any given Sunday. This is just in regards to the language the Church uses, there really is a much larger gap between the church cultire and the culture of the society we live in. Funny thing is that we have taken the example of Jesus and made Christianity into the exact opposite of what he did while here on earth. Yes, Jesus called the broken to him, and brought healing and wholeness to them, but he didn't do it by hosting revivals in the Synagogue (sp?) (i hate not having spell check) No Jesus was hanging out in parties turning water into wine, he was on the street corners with prostitutes, he was culturally relevant and totally emersed into the culture around him, and called them to change while being a part of them.
Mind you there was a definate call to repentance and change, but it was done so in the language that spoke to the heart of the issuea, and was culturally relevant.
Honestly I think that why this song has gotten the attention it has, where as so many church songs do not.
That said the song screams of old Jewish faith. A God who has been absent for so long, while reading scripture of a God that was so involved with his people, looking for a Messiah that should have already been here, and trying to figure out how one would even tell if it was the Messiah if he came today. I't a different faith than that of one who beleives in a risen Messiah that left us with the Holy Spirit that still walks with us and speaks to us today.
Avery.. have you ever heard of or listened to Britt Nicole, Owl City or Starfield (they're canadian)... try them :) their really good, or I think they are anyways.
btw, 1 Corinthians 1:18
Avery, your 2nd paragraph is kinda what I was getting at. Thank you for articulating it. :)
Brilliant tough topic!
I absolutely adore Regina Spektor, but hadn't heard this song--you aren't the only one who falls behind.
What struck me most when listening to her and the lyrics--other than her incredible voice--has very little to do with the content of the song itself. She speaks about our laughing with God and I think it's important for us to be able to do so. From everything I've seen in my short life so far--only 21 years--God has a brilliant sense of humor, even if we humans, believers, don't always understand or appreciate it. Whenever I set my mind on something, whenever I start making plans without Him, I'm always reminded that He is in control because my plans will be turned on their heads. Always in a way that brings me toward Him and always in a way that surprises me. His sense of humor is very ironic. Very dry. Very funny. Very British?
I realize the above doesn't have much to do with the Tough-topics post, but the following might:
My parents have always been my guides to how to behave as a Christian and how to seek God. A college roommate of mine has also taught me a lot about my faith. One of the most important lesson's I've learned has been to wait for others to come to me asking questions about God and faith. As my Dad puts it: "I may be a lazy Christian, but every once in a while, God uses me to bring others to Him. Every once in a while my friends will ask me about my faith and I will have a chance to tell them. When God gives me that opportunity, I take it." I've always considered this sound advice and that a Christian is more likely to have an affect on those in close proximity simply by living in God--leading by example.
I'm sorry this comment is exorbitantly long, but your post really touched me. Also, thank you for answering my question about when God speaks!
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