Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Optismism or Escapism?

Before I start in, let me say that there have been a bunch of things worth writing about in the month's time since my last post. Unfortunately those things didn't make it to the internet. Things have been rolling along here though, and I will make an effort to keep up more regularly with this for those who read it (like my mom).

There is a popular song on country radio right now called "Outside My Window." It's very catchy, and I've caught it running through my head once or twice. The other day I stopped and thought about what the song is saying, with these words:

Outside my window I hear a church bell ringing
Nobody fighting over what hymn they're singing...
Outside my window I see a flag that's waving
Hands joined together, everybody celebrating...
No wars no more, just a big rainbow outside my window

At first listen, this song seems pretty chipper and hopeful. At second and third listen, you might begin to wonder, What window is this person looking through? And after that, you begin to realize that this song will probably not be a lasting memory. Why? Because it doesn't really say anything. Oh it's great that everyone gets along, holds hands and sings together outside her window.

But the window isn't real.

An earthquake hits Haiti; a hurricane hits the Gulf coast; people die from heart disease, diabetes, cancer. Cars crash; teenagers get pregnant and abort. The list goes on indefinitely.

This is the condition of the world that we live in. This is reality. Evil exists in the world, and you can see its effects everywhere. The weight of it all makes a song like this seem out of touch at best, a denial of reality at worst. Songs that acknowledge evil (like country music is typically known for) are songs that we can relate to, because they accept reality for what it is. And with that, they have credibility to say something about it. But a song, or lifestyle, or faith that denies this reality is one that has nothing to say at all.