Shades of Gray
So... for some reason, today I've been pondering what it means to submit to scripture.
If you're a Christian, you accept the Bible as authority. You have variations in interpretation, you have the transition from the Old to New Testament, and you have the ever-present fact that the Bible is God's story told through a human lens. But ultimately, we have to accept scripture as our main source of truth. Start with what's there in the Bible, then go from there.
But then you have a Christian denomination passing motions to ordain gay clergy, or someone saying that they feel like they're growing closer to God through their now-sexual relationship with their SO. Yes, arguments can be made for both of these, but that's not my point. Point is... we're starting with what we want, and then we're filling scripture around it. What fits with our view, we keep; the rest, we discard.
I'm not trying to be judgmental here. I've been accused of taking the same approach when it comes to my views on baptism, and who knows, maybe those accusations are valid. I think the difference between my views and those of the Church of Christ are a matter of interpretation rather than accepting or rejecting the Bible, but proponents of premarital sex or homosexual ordination can turn around and say the exact same thing.
Maybe I'm right, and they're wrong. Or maybe it's vice versa. I don't honestly know. I think I know, and I'll gladly discuss and argue for the reasons I think what I think. But there's always the possibility that each of us is wrong, and each of us is definitely guilty at some point or other of a sin we generally condemn. And that's where we need grace, kids. May God have mercy on all of us. He knows we need it...
Anyway, on to the music!
Day 04: A song that makes you sad
I'm not generally a very sad person. And I don't listen to a lot of sad music. I don't know. Just not my style. Still, there are a couple to pick from here. I could go into great detail about this one...
Click to view...but I kind of already did.
Instead, I think I'll go with a song that still moves me after all the years I've been listening to it.
Throughout most of elementary and middle school, I was always the loser kid that got made fun of, teased, beat up, etc. It was never anything brutal, but still... it sucked. Fortunately, there's a lot of light in my life, through my family, through my church and through the friends that I eventually found, and I came through it to be the awesome guy I am today.
This song is a reminder that not everyone is that lucky. Even in places like suburbia (or rich Christian universities), people are hurting, lost, and confused, and it's made worse because they feel like they're alone. They suffer. They hurt. They fall into depression, or alcoholism, or cutting, or bad relationships- any number of other things to fill the hole and numb the ache that can only be filled with real, honest love.
This song is a sobering challenge to change that. Yes, it's a little cheesy, but it's Christian rock, so what do you expect? As heavy-handed as it is, the bridge still gives me chills ("But this ain't even about that!"). I don't know. I just hope that when I am moved emotionally by this song, that it is a reminder to me that I must move tangibly in the lives of those around me.
So yeah. The rest of the music here:
Day 01: Your favorite song
Day 02: Your least favorite song
Day 03: A song that makes you happy
Day 04: A song that makes you sad
Day 05: A song that reminds you of someone
Day 06: A song that reminds you of somewhere
Day 07: A song that reminds you of a certain event
Day 08: A song that you know all the words to
Day 09: A song that you can dance to
Day 10: A song that makes you fall asleep
Day 11: A song from your favorite band
Day 12: A song from a band you hate
Day 13: A song that is a guilty pleasure
Day 14: A song that no one would expect you to love
Day 15: A song that describes you
Day 16: A song that you used to love but now hate
Day 17: A song that you hear often on the radio
Day 18: A song that you wish you heard on the radio
Day 19: A song from your favorite album
Day 20: A song that you listen to when you’re angry
Day 21: A song that you listen to when you’re happy
Day 22: A song that you listen to when you’re sad
Day 23: A song that you want to play at your wedding
Day 24: A song that you want to play at your funeral
Day 25: A song that makes you laugh
Day 26: A song that you can play on an instrument
Day 27: A song that you wish you could play
Day 28: A song that makes you feel guilty
Day 29: A song from your childhood
Day 30: Your favorite song at this time last year