Hmmm, hm, hm, hmmmm hm, hm hm hm hm hm- Can you name that tune? Before I was even out of bed this morning I was humming it-through my morning coffee, my bowl of blueberry lemon granola, and up until I did my morning habit of listening to Lectio 365 followed by a related reading.
For years I have held to the idea that contemporary culture has much to teach us about who God is and where He can be found. As a visual artist I have argued that there is a place for the most contemporary art in spiritual, specifically Christian, conversation, which isn’t a popular position. I don’t believe that revelation only happens in hindsight-that the old things are where the whole truth resides. It’s there but we need to be aware and present where we exist, the time and space we live in and what His voice may sound like now. I don’t think He quit communicating once the KJB came along expecting us to translate, and retranslate without paying attention to the greater world at large. Eugene Peterson translated the Bible into The Message, a monumental undertaking that contemporized the language for the time it was written, but still, it looks backwards. Is it possible to fully see the world in 360°, and be aware of what direction we are going, if we spend most of our time looking back over our shoulders?
Don’t get me wrong, I read scripture, look to it for its wisdom, its truth, and do my best to learn-to extrapolate lessons necessary and apply them in my life-to the best of my ability. But, I believe this serves as a springboard to paying attention-to looking for God “in all the wrong places”, so to speak, because He is present in every corner, every challenging situation, every moment, if we dare to really look.
This morning as I savored my granola and let my coffee get cold I was listening to the story of Esther-one I love because of the constant reminder that, perhaps, I too was made for ‘such a time as this’, for the here and now. I have often thought I was born in the wrong time but that can never be true of any of us. Anyway, today’s Lectio ended with Joshua 1 verse 9:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
Here is where the earworm comes in…
That song I was humming? It was All I Know So Far by Pink. Take a peek at the lyrics (warning; there is some foul language)
Haven't always been this way I wasn't born a renegade I felt alone, still feel afraid I stumble through it anyway I wish someone would have told me that this life is ours to choose No one's handing you the keys or a book with all the rules The little that I know I'll tell to you When they dress you up in lies and you're left naked with the truth You throw your head back, and you spit in the wind Let the walls crack, 'cause it lets the light in Let 'em drag you through hell They can't tell you to change who you are That's all I know so far And when the storm's out, you run in the rain Put your sword down, dive right into the pain Stay unfiltered and loud, you'll be proud of that skin full of scars That's all I know so far That's all I know so far So you might give yourself away, yeah And pay full price for each mistake But when the candy-coating hides the razor blade You can cut yourself loose and use that rage I wish someone would have told me that this darkness comes and goes People will pretend but baby girl, nobody knows And even I can't teach you how to fly But I can show you how to live like your life is on the line You throw your head back, and you spit in the wind Let the walls crack, 'cause it lets the light in Let 'em drag you through hell They can't tell you to change who you are That's all I know so far And when the storm's out, you run in the rain Put your sword down, dive right into the pain Stay unfiltered and loud, you'll be proud of that skin full of scars That's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far I will be with you 'til the world blows up, yes Up, and down, and through 'til the world blows up Yeah When it's right, or it's all fucked up 'til the world blows up 'Til the world blows up And we will be enough And until the world blows up Just throw your head back, and spit in the wind Let the walls crack, 'cause it lets the light in Let 'em drag you through hell They can't tell you to change who you are And when the storm's out, you run in the rain Put your sword down, dive right into the pain Stay unfiltered and loud, you'll be proud of that skin full of scars That's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far That's all I know, that's all I know so far I will be with you 'til the world blows up, hm*
*Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Alecia Moore / Benj Pasek / Justin Paul
All I Know So Far lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
“I will be with you ‘till the world blows up” Pink
“…for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9b
And, if you read the lyrics you will discover that they are all about being courageous and strong- “Put your sword down, dive right into the pain”, “Let them drag you through hell…”, you get the idea. One could argue that these words aren’t ‘Christian’ because they weren’t written with that intent. I would argue that God has always used whatever means to get our attention.
I think my favorite line is “That's all I know so far…” like Dante's circular journey, I grow up and around ideas, truths, and lessons- get used to the idea(or place I find myself) and begin again, learning the next thing. Around and around, and ever upwards I'd like to hope..
“That's all I know so far ..”
Susan