What Matters More (Isn’t Our Opinion)

Derek Webb, who was the leader of Christian praise rock ensemble Caedmon’s Call during its tenure, has a new solo record out titled Stockholm Syndrome. On it is a track named “What Matters More,” video below:

The lyrics go thusly:

You say you always treat people like you like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
‘Bout what you believe, make you sound like a freak

‘Cause if you really believe what you say you believe
You wouldn’t be so damn reckless with the words you speak
Wouldn’t silently conceal when the liars speak
Denyin’ all the dyin’ of the remedy

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

If I can tell what’s in your heart by what comes out of your mouth
Then it sure looks to me like being straight is all it’s about
It looks like being hated for all the wrong things
Like chasin’ the wind while the pendulum swings

‘Cause we can talk and debate until we’re blue in the face
About the language and tradition that he’s comin’ to save
Meanwhile we sit just like we don’t give a shit
About 50,000 people who are dyin’ today

Tell me, brother, what matters more to you?
Tell me, sister, what matters more to you?

As is inevitable when such a song comes out, the battle lines are immediately drawn between different camps. He’s telling us he should stop hating gays. He shouldn’t use that language to make his point. He’s saying gay is OK. No he’s not. And so on.

The question is does any of this matter.

There are few things easier in this world than pre-fabricated controversy. Say or do something against the norm and you’re in. Strike the martyr pose when someone assails you for your position. And whatever else you do, make absolutely sure you praise to the skies anyone and anything that says what you’re saying. Hear that song? It agrees with me. It’s the greatest!

Sure.

You’re saying it’s great because it says what you want a song to say. Which is fine — if it actually is great. A song stands or falls on its own merit regardless of anyone’s opinion.

But what you’re saying when you say the song is great isn’t the song is great.

You’re saying the song is great because it agrees with you.

You’re saying the song is great because it means you’re great.

Would you say the same about a song that smacked your pet sacred cow in the face if it was great?

We crave affirmation. It’s human nature. Politics, religion, society, whatever. We want to hear we’re right. Period. We don’t want to hear the other side. We don’t want to be challenged. We want God to have our back and back us up. And if He has other ideas? Well, too bad for Him, isn’t it. Fit our definitions, our notions, or sit in the corner until we’re ready to call you, Lord.

Oh wait.

If we call Him Lord…

… doesn’t that mean He’s… you know…

Lord?

And that’s why what matters more isn’t our opinion.

In fact, it doesn’t matter at all.

Especially when it’s time to be serious.

[youtube rov3pV9PsRI nolink]

(I don’t believe Regina Spektor is a Christian, but the song has a lot of truth in it, as the lyrics show:)

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one laughs at God when the doctor calls
After some routine tests
No one’s laughing at God
when it’s gotten real late
And their kid’s not back from that party yet

No one laughs at God when their airplane
Starts to uncontrollably shake
No one’s laughing at God
When they see the one they love hand in hand
with someone else and they hope that they’re mistaken
No one laughs at God when the cops knock on their door
And they say “We’ve got some bad new, sir,”
No one’s laughing at God
When there’s a famine, fire or flood

But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
When the crazies say he hates us
and they get so red in the head
You think that they’re about to choke
God can be funny
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus

God can be so hilarious
Ha ha, ha ha

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
No one’s laughing at God
when they’ve lost all they got
And they don’t know what for

No one laughs at God on the day they realize
that the last sight they’ll ever see is a pair of hateful eyes
No one’s laughing at God
When they’re saying their goodbyes

But God can be funny
At a cocktail party while listening to a good God-themed joke or
When the crazies say he hates us and they get so red in the head
you think that they’re about to choke
God can be funny
When told he’ll give you money if you just pray the right way
And when presented like a genie
Who does magic like Houdini
Or grants wishes like Jiminy Cricket and Santa Claus
God can be so hilarious

No one laughs at God in a hospital
No one laughs at God in a war
(repeat)
No one’s laughing at God in a hospital
No one’s laughing at God in a war

No one’s laughing at God
When they’re starving or freezing or so very poor

No one’s laughing at God
(repeat)
We’re all laughing with God