How to Share Your Faith Using Soul Meets Body
Death Cab For Cutie's avid fan base and solid history of successful albums since their debut release way back in 1997 has given them broad exposure. The band Cutie scored their first-ever Grammy nomination in 2006 in the Best Alternative Music Album category for their CD Plans.
When interviewed about their Plans CD, drummer Jason McGerr reflected, "It came to me then, that every plan is a tiny prayer to Father Time." As Christians we would put a slight twist on that comment and reflect that every plan is a prayer to our Father God (or should be!). The Bible tells us we should hold our plans loosely, knowing God desires we be purposeful for Him in our daily lives, but acknowledging that He is in control of the best laid plans. James 4:13-15 says,
"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.' Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'"
We never know what the future holds, but whatever it holds we know God promises to walk with us through it.
"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you'" (Hebrews 13:5).
Death Cab for Cutie's latest album, Plans, contains several songs that deal with the uncertainty of the future and the reality of eventual death. Their hit single off this album, Soul Meets Body, provides an interesting springboard for you to talk about life and death questions with your friends. Deep down everyone wonders about what happens after you die- Soul Meets Body is a straight up opportunity to explore with your friends what they think comes after this life is over.
Take a look at these lyrics and then use the song as a segue to talk about God!
I want to live where soul meets body
And let the sun wrap its arms around me
And bathe my skin in water cool and cleansing
And feel, feel what its like to be new
Cause in my head there's a greyhound station
Where I send my thoughts to far off destinations
So they may have a chance of finding a place
where they're far more suited than here
I cannot guess what we'll discover
Between the dirt with our palms cut like shovels
But I know our filthy hand can wash one another's
And not one speck will remain
I do believe it's true
That there are roads left in both of our shoes
If the silence takes you
Then I hope it takes me too
So brown eyes I hold you near
Cause you're the only song I want to hear
A melody softly soaring through my atmosphere
Where soul meets body
Where soul meets body
Where soul meets body
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Ask your friends what they think happens after death. Share what you believe and why you believe it. If you need help doing this, check out the GOSPEL Journey.
- What do you think the lyrics mean when they say "Cause in my head there's a greyhound station, where I send my thoughts to far off destinations. So they may have a chance of finding a place, where they're far more suited than here?" Do you believe there's a place in the afterlife that we're far more suited for than here? Do you know what Jesus had to say about it? Share John 14:6,
"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
- What do you think the soul is? Is there a spiritual dimension to humans? Share what Jesus had to say about this in John 3:3-8 when he talks to Nicodemus about being spiritually born again.
This song throws the door wide open to initiation a spiritual conversation with your friends. You never know what tomorrow might hold-so do it today! And finally in case you're wondering, to set the record straight, the band's quirky name comes from a song by the British group, Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, that appeared in the Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour.
