My job has me deskbound 90% of the time. It's not bad, I'm rockin' the MacBook; air traffic controlling inbound ads, emails, project updates, spreadsheets, etc. I listen to a lot of radio so I hear a lot of music.
Two stations comprise 99% of my listening. One is the oddly quirky, musically courageous 88Nine based here in Milwaukee. It's a public station that plays a little bit of everything, has a kind and gentle spirit, and DJ's that obviously love what they do. In many ways, it reminds me of my beloved 105.3 The Fish.
One song has caught my attention lately--Faith, by Joseph Arthur. It's got an infectious 'hook' (the part you sing over and over in the car)--and no, it's not a remake of the George Michael song from the 80's. The hook is, "you can take everything away from me" and I sing along performing a white-guy chair dance.
Faith. Comes in little waves. I don't need to give myself away. I said faith. When it comes you have to pay. It's the pain which makes you believe.
I can find worship in just about anything. This song helps me do that. My pastor says it all the time, "You've got to be ready to lose everything". This song isn't Christian --and I know nothing about Joseph's faith. Via a little Wikipedia research it seems he's lived a hard life--maybe he's been broken enough to reach out to God---maybe not--the lyrics cry out from someone who isn't quite ready to cede control.
When I came there was nothing I could lose. So why should I pretend that there's something I could choose. When I go it'll be like no one was here. Nothing to love. And nothing left to fear.
Joseph is singing a song of determined defiance like the kid who gets knocked down and says "that didn't hurt". It happens again---and he says it again. I sing this song as celebration. God gives me just enough right now but I've got to be able to lose it all and still reach to Him.
Thinking about Joseph Arthur doesn't cause me to pity the guy--it causes me to think that he is so close to just giving it up and giving it over. Then, he could really sing that hook and have it be one of celebration.
Ready to lose it all? That's when you'll gain everything you need.
Luke 2:16-20
9 hours ago
3 comments:
WOW Danny YOUR JOB sounds just like the one i had not so long ago... that was until they told me that MY JOB had been eliminated
Isn't that weird? I'm a fan of Joseph Arthur and your blog! What a surprise to find you writing about Faith. I know a lot about him and you are right, he has had a very rough road to where he is now. It doesn't seem like he is interested in faith right now and what you thought about his song is also what I think. It's defiant but so very nice. I have seen him in concert a number of times and he's been good and he's been not so good but I remain a fan. Thanks for weaving in something I love with your always interesting take on things. It's very cool. Peace! Carmen.
Back in the 70s, there was a movie called Clockwork Orange. It was vulgar, but it made a bold statement exploring whether mankind was simply a chemical machine—no more than a biological machine driven by pleasure and survival.
But we know we are more than a chemical reaction because we have empathy for Joseph's hardship and his response in Faith.
Thank you for your notes about 88nine and how it finds a way to play the music that meets our need to hear the artists that explore meaning, purpose, life, creativity, justice... ideas that don't seem to find a place in most commercial radio.
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