WOW! I think it’s part of my media overload, and I’ve had this song on my iTunes/iPod for a couple years now (at least), but never really “heard” this song until yesterday. Nathan, a VERY talented piano player (as well as a doctor and a strong Christian) is moving to Tennessee, so on his last Sunday with our MCC family they played “Jesusland” by Ben Folds. I never really paid attention to the words in this song until yesterday. Check out the video:

And here are the lyrics to this song:

Take a walk
out the gate you go and never stop
past all the stores and wig shops
quarter in a cup for every block
and watch the buildings grow
smaller as you go

Down the tracks
beautiful McMansions on a hill
that overlook a highway
with riverboat casinos and you still
have yet to see a soul

Jesusland
Jesusland

Town to town
broadcast to each house, they drop your name
but no one knows your face
Billboards quoting things you’d never say
you hang your head and pray

for Jesusland
Jesusland

Miles and miles
and the sun goin’ down
Pulses glow
from their homes
You’re not alone
Lights come on
as you lay your weary head on their lawn

Parking lots
cracked and growing grass you see it all
from offices to farms
crosses flying high above the malls
A longer walk

through Jesusland
Jesusland

How many of us have seen this? How many of us have DONE things like this in our own life? I want to say that I never have, or that my instances of being “un-Jesus-like” are few and far between. But I have to be honest and recognize that I’m guilty of some of these actions too. I need to start maintaining a constant Christ-like attitude towards my fellow man here on earth. This song reminded me of the ways that “the church” in North America still has a long way to go before we truly reach the goal of being His hands and His feet here on earth. But it also reminded me of how very far I have to go yet myself.