Shifting Sand

It's Rez Week now at UT, a week-long event before Easter where all the Christian ministries on campus unite to pray and praise. There's a 24-hour coffeehouse right outside Gregory Gym, where there's a free flow of coffee and live music in the afternoons. There's also large panels where Christian artists paint what's on their hearts and a 24-hour prayer tent. I went to see my friend Kim play her songs yesterday, and was really touched by the whole atmosphere. You can read what she has to say here. All passers-by are attracted by the free speech board, where anyone can write down answers to questions like "What's worth dying for?" (some answers: "Love", "Equality", "SPARTA!!")

So yesterday, while hanging out at the coffeehouse with Kim and a cup of hot cocoa, I heard this girl sing one of my favorite songs from my favorite Christian band, Caedmon's Call. If you haven't checked them out yet, please go do so now. They write some of the most meaningful lyrics in contemporary Christian music, a genre where a lot of songs just recycle the same old tired phrases. Anyway, I've always loved this song since I heard it in the Smiths' lakeside home in Montana six years ago (where I first encountered Caedmon's Call's CD "40 Acres" - how coincidental). It kind of speaks to me where I am right now so I thought I'd share it.

Shifting Sand

by Caedmon's Call

Sometimes I believe all the lies
So I can do the things I should despise
And every day I am swayed
By whatever is on my mind

I hear it all depends on my faith
So I'm feeling precarious
The only problem I have with these mysteries
Is they're so mysterious

And like a consumer I've been thinking
If I could just get a bit more
More than my 15 minutes of faith,
Then I'd be secure

(Chorus)
My faith is like shifting sand
Changed by every wave
My faith is like shifting sand
So I stand on grace

I've begged you for some proof
For my Thomas eyes to see
A slithering staff, a leperous hand
And lions resting lazily

A glimpse of your back-side glory
And this soaked altar going ablaze
But you know I've seen so much
I explained it away

Chorus

Waters rose as my doubts reigned
My sand-castle faith, it slipped away
Found myself standing on your grace
It'd been there all the time

Chorus