If I were to theme my studies, I'd probably call it "Grasping at Straws."
And when I read this book, I wonder at their foolishness before I remember that in my line of work, it's about the same. Sometimes it feels like there's only fog, a gray, and none of this was laid out for me before I came (especially as far as business matters are concerned). Then I remember that I've indeed been given a map, the Word made flesh, Immanuel, the Christ.
On New Year's Day I'm thankful that I don't have to grasp at straws like the millions of people around me.
This is probably my favorite song that was released last year, which could have been sung by Israel or Saul, me on my forgetful days, or my neighbor.
"Lost Coastlines" by Okkervil River
Packed and all eyes turned in, no one to see on the key
No one waving for me just the shoreline receding,
Ticket in my hand and thinking wish I didn't hand it in.
Cause who said sailing is fine--
Leaving behind all the faces that I might replace if I tried on that long ride,
Looking deep inside but I don't want to look so deep inside yet.
Sit down, sit down on the prow to wave "Bye,"
There might not be another star, further on the line.
Look out, look out at each town that glides by,
And there's another crowd, to drown in crying eyes.
And see how that light you love now just won't shine,
There might just be another star,
that's high and far in some other sky.
We sing, "Is that marionette real enough yet
to step off of that set to decide
what a dance might mean to it?"
Ruining the place where the ensuing may lay escape.
We packed up all of our bags
the ship's deck now sags from the weight of our tracks
As we pace beneath flags black and battered
Rattling our swords in service of some fated, foreign, lords.
And we sail out on orders from him but we find
That the maps he sent to us don't mention lost coastlines.
Where nothing we've actually seen has been mapped or outlined
And we don't recognize the names upon these signs.
And every night finds us rocking and rolling on waves wild and wide,
Well we have lost our way, nobody's gonna say it outright.
Just go la la la la la la la la la.....
