The Prophet's Song

This is a song I wrote a few years ago. It came to me at a time when I was realizing my own great blindness toward those that I perceived as different from me. I had a doctrine and certainty about God and life and I was sure that only those from "my tribe" had anything to teach me. Others were lost. When I was young, it was only southern baptists and my family that could inform me of how the world and God worked. Grace has slowly (and many times painfully) worked to expand my borders and teach me that labels, most of the time, become walls that God is against. Do I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and is the Son of Man who reveals God in human form and pours that Spirit of God on all flesh? Yes! However, I do not claim that as a matter of "rightness" or superiority. It is through the light of this Christ that I am being taught to see. But I know that his Spirit, the Spirit of love and grace and mercy and hope; the Spirit that frees us from hatred and judgmentalism and exclusion; the Spirit that awakens us from apathy and leads us to cross through our fear boundaries and love deeply; this Spirit really has been poured out on all. So I have MUCH to learn about life and love and God from atheists, muslims, jews, hindus, gay people, straight people, children, senior citizens, poor people, rich people, republicans, democrats, priests, agnostics, universalists, calvinists, vegans, humanists...and on and on. ANYone who is slowly and painfully and imperfectly learning to love their neighbor as they love themselves, with a love that comes from beyond their own measly effort...you are my brother and my sister.
In saying this, I have not forsaken the church. I believe our work as a community to live and testify and offer in our daily acts the body and blood of Jesus, as it has been offered to us, is a precious calling and is one that I am grateful for, even when I slip back into old thought patterns and lies of separation and treat people as less than beloved ones. And I do believe that when human history is wrapped up that Christ will be seen and known and loved by all. But I cannot explain how this will work. And I cannot use this belief to elevate myself above anyone else, nor can I push it on others in a way that tries to "convert" them to my perspective. All I can do is be honest about my experience with this Jesus as the one who I believe has worked in me to tear down the dividing walls of hostility, even within myself! Yes, I have walls within my own person that cause my mind and heart to make war against one another. Christ's Spirit works daily through scripture and prayer to convince me of the truth of who I am as a dearly loved daughter of God.
That is what this song is about. I have been hesitant to share it because it never felt finished. Now I think I like it, although some days I'm not sure. But, as a recovering perfectionist, I think it's an important step for me to just go ahead and put it out there. I'm an amateur as a vocalist, a songwriter, and as a guitar player. The title of this work is called "The Prophet's Song". Therefore, I think this raw, uncut video of a mom in her "work clothes" who feels a burning message in her heart and wants to sing about it is quite fitting. So if you're looking for professional quality, move along. But I'm beginning to believe that we less disciplined "every-day-ers" have good reason to share our imperfect art as well. The lyrics are posted underneath. Thank you for listening!!

The Prophet's Song

When the world caught its first glimpse of you

On our deep, dark, violent way

We'd built our homes with bricks of suffering

Turning our brothers into our prey.

In your eyes, we saw lightning flash

Heard the thundering roar of your voice

Sinai billowed with darkness and gloom

An idol as wrathful as us.

The veil of bigotry - thick - and meaningless

We were so young, we were so blind

We are so young, we are so blind!

Infinite love still wraps us up.

We've searched for you high in the heavens

We've traveled the breadth of the earth

Who knew that the very heartbeat of man

Is where your Spirit abides?

Wake up, wake up Mankind!

We are one, oh glory shine!

Wake up, wake up Mankind!

We are on, oh glory shine!

Love dove into the heart of the earth

Baptized in our zeal, raised in compassion

He stretched his arms wide

Bleeding sweet mercy into life.

Perfect love cast out our fear (x 4)

Hostility, your night has come

New creation has begun.