an interesting little bit of trivia:
i have found, after much observation, that i invariably become quite fond of any girl who compliments my singing. =).
and in truth, i wonder if it indicates pride. it's one of those things which "the world has rewarded you for"... i recall wondering if i would still sing as loudly during service if i had no sense of pitch or rhythm, and praying that i would praise Him with so much more than my lips.
"desires worshippers who worship in Spirit and in truth." what does this mean?
recently, more than before, i have fallen into the trap of merely singing for singing's sake. it's so easy to sing, if you love to sing. it's easy to get distracted by the technicalities, in trying to figure out the harmonies, in enjoying the music and appreciating the beauty of it all...
i wandered much in the CBD area today, from Specialist's Centre to Centrepoint to Capitol Centre to hitherto-unexplored areas in the Shenton Way area with interesting road names such as Shenton Way(!), Parsi Road, Prince Edwards something-or-other, and even some roads with mysterious names such as Mistri Road. woo. our CBD is a real haven, with abundant greenery even amongst the skyscrapers, a beautiful counterpoint. Wide paved walkways, neatly trimmed plants, and just next door, a small hill covered in dense foliage, wild enough to conceal breeding mosquitoes (i killed one).
i was wandering in search of the soundtrack of the movie "Rent". listening to the soundtrack now, actually. just put it on pause to concentrate here...
i would heartily recommend the movie to anyone mature enough to watch it. it isn't a movie that seeks to entertain, although the music is beyond excellent, and the cinematography similarly good. its M18 rating is thoroughly deserved, most notably for a certain dance sequence where guys would do well to avert their eyes, and certain lesbian/gay scenes which may traumatise the faint of heart. but beyond all these details on the surface is a stirring social commentary on life, focusing on the plight of drug addicts, HIV patients, and all those things which we instinctively shun, and perhaps even despise.
and the focus, the central theme of the entire production, really, is love. the love, so richly depicted in the show, not cheapened through sex as in most hollywood productions nowadays, but shown through acceptance and through trials and in death.
and it reminded me of something which i am ashamed to have forgotten in my shallow, sheltered world, that these people are human, with hopes and dreams and loves as anyone in this world, and with less chance than most of fulfilling them. they struggle with demons which are greater than ours.
in searching the internet for some lyrics, i noticed one site. "How 'Rent' changed my life", or something to that effect. i didn't bother reading it, but i knew what he was talking about.
i learnt something about people, and about God from that movie. one song, specifically, with the associated screenplay. following the downfall of Mimi, her clandestine meetings in back alleys with drug dealers. about how her boyfriend caught her red-handed, pulling, dragging her away. about the terrible hours in the night, fighting withdrawal symptoms, cold sweats, shivering, vomiting, falling back into her old ways... and eventually triumphant, through much love and support.
all have sinned, and have fallen short of the glory of God. we are like drug addicts, addicted to sin and its benefits. we struggle to tear ourselves away, but often the temptations are too great, and we go back, in clandestine meetings in back-alleys, in darkness. and we keep falling, and falling again, only to be brought back by God's love. in all our sin, we are as repulsive to God as the filthiest person on earth (use your imagination), the recalcitrant sinner, who repeatedly rejects His love. how often can we take rejection before we give it up? but God is love.
i finally understand, or at least better appreciate the bits in the Bible which refer to Israel as a prostitute. we profess God, yet wander off regularly to do as we will, whatever seems appropriate and fun and of immediate benefit to us, and then come back on Sunday seemingly all prim and proper.
Without you,
the ground thaws,
the rain falls,
the grass grows.
Without you,
the seeds root,
the flowers bloom,
The children play.
The stars gleam,
the poets dream,
the eagles fly,
without you.
The earth turns,
the sun burns,
but I die,
without you.
