Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I Am A Soul

Molecules and atoms
Just like Eve and Adam
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Even still I wonder,
When we are six feet under
Will that truly be the end of us?

'cause why beauty? why poetry?
Why "no! no! no!" to every tragedy?
Why laughter? why lullabies?
And why this asking why?

I have a body, but I am a soul
I see a fraction, it's not the whole
I cannot prove it, but still I know
I have a body... I am a soul

A sculpture or a canvas
can speak a private language
Telling secrets hidden in the heart
About a world of spirit
I swear sometimes I hear it
Playing like a piper in the dark
It's in the love songs, in symphonies
In funeral marches and in liturgies
It's in whispers, in rally cries
In dreams that won't say die

You have a body but you are a soul
You see a fraction, it's not the whole
I cannot prove it, but still I know
You have a body ... you are a soul.

World without end, amen.

Listed among the profoundest influences of my life:
the grace of Jesus Christ
the writings of C.S. Lewis
the music (especially lyrics) of singer/songwriters
Rich Mullins & Carolyn Arends

Arends new album, just hot off the press is pictured above: Love Was Here First.
So far, my two favourite tracks are 5 & 6 I Am A Soul and Willing. I think you can listen to it by clicking on the title of the album posted above.
I first heard this quoted by C.S. Lewis, this thought that I HAVE a body but I AM a soul. It instantly collided (coincided?) with a scripture verse that has always fascinated me:
God has set eternity in the hearts of man.... Ecclesiastes 3:11
....all of which I discovered to be well explored themes of Carolyn Arends.
Happily, her ponderings eventually give way to great songs that never fail to teach, comfort and inspire me. I absolutely love the way this songwriter weaves sound theology into soul stirring melodies - often with the simplest yet most unique turns of phrase.
It's such a wonderful gift and I am compelled to 'pay it forward' as it were.
May you find blessing and peace too.