My Emergent Theme Song

"Secret of an Easy Yoke" -- Perdo the Lion
i could hear the church bells ringing
they pealed aloud your praise
the member's faces were smiling
with their hands outstretched to shake
it's true they did not move me
my heart was hard and tired
their perfect fire annoyed me
i could not find you anywhere
could someone please tell me the story
of sinners ransomed from the fall
i still have never seen you, and somedays
i don't love you at all

the devoted were wearing bracelets
to remind them why they came
some concrete motivation
when the abstract could not do the same
but if all that's left is duty, i'm falling on my sword
at least then, i would not serve an unseen distant lord

could someone please tell me the story
of sinners ransomed from the fall
i still have never seen you, and somedays
i don't love you at all
if this only a test
i hope that i'm passing, cuz i'm losing steam
but i still want to trust you

peace be still (x3)

---

Pedro the Lion is one of my new favorite bands. They are one of these bands that has lyrics that just grab you and really touch you. "Secret of an Easy Yoke" is an example of such a song for me. It is in some ways a very harsh song, but the point it makes is really important. Are we, as Christians, just play acting that part? Do we go to our worship service and are never moved? Many days I can't help but to ask if the spirit is moving in me, instead of the better question: How will the spirit move in me today?

This also reminds me of a discussion we had at a recent worship service. We were talking about grace. Discussions of grace always remind me that God doesn't love us because of how we act and the rules we follow or how we worship or the liturgy we use. He loves us because he loves us, like a parent loves a child. And the way we act as Christians is not about earning his love, but about shining his love into the world. Our lives should be like tiny candles shining into the darkness reminding others that God loves them too! And we can do this because His grace transforms us, whether it is slowly over time or quickly.