Arcade Fire: Intervention

Intervention

Artist(Band):The Arcade Fire

The king’s taken back the throne
The useless seed is sown
When they say they’re cutting off the phone
I’ll tell ‘em you’re not home

No place to hide
You were fighting as a soldier on their side
You’re still a soldier in your mind
Though nothing’s on the line

You say it’s money that we need
As if we’re only mouths to feed
I know no matter what you say
There are some debts you’ll never pay

Working for the church
While your family dies
You take what they give you
And you keep it inside
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the solider groan, “We’ll cry alone”

I can taste the fear
It’s gonna lift me up and take me out of here
Don’t wanna fight, don’t wanna die
Just wanna hear you cry

Who’s gonna throw the very first stone?
Oh! Who’s gonna reset the bone?
Walking with your head in a sling
Wanna hear the soldier sing

Working for the Church
While my family dies
Your little baby sister’s
Gonna lose her mind
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan “We’ll go at it alone”

I can taste your fear
It’s gonna lift you up and take you out of here
And the bone shall never heal
I care not if you kneel

We can’t find you now
But they’re gonna get the money back somehow
And when you finally disappear
We’ll just say you were never here

Been working for the church
While your life falls apart.
Singing hallelujah with the fear in your heart
Every spark of friendship and love
Will die without a home
Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone”
Hear the soldier groan, “We’ll go at it alone”

Late last year I downloaded the album Neon Bible by the alternative/rock band Arcade Fire. The song above, “Intervention,” is sung over the blasts of a pipe organ. I grew up singing to the organ, so I’m very familiar with its power. When coupled with words that are sung with conviction, this is soul shaking stuff.

This song evokes images of war, religion, fear, loneliness, separation, and the need for relationships. Most chilling are the words that follow, “Been working for the church…” for I know (or know of) too many people that seem to fit the descriptions, “while your family/my family dies,” or “while your life falls apart.” Can you imagine being described as someone “singing hallelujah with the fear in your heart”?

The beauty of music is its ability to ignite our imagination. As I’ve continued to contemplate this song I’ve deeply considered the practices that lead to the deterioration of the inner life which occurs when church leadership neglects to undertake the disciplines which nourish the soul. I have thought carefully concerning the disciplines of rest, reflection, solitude, and re-engagement. Jesus modeled a life of withdrawal and engagement. His example might be one we wish to follow.

Such practices are for all disciples, not clergy alone. What are the practices that you include in the rhythm of your life in order for God to heal, restore, and direct you as you engage the world that surrounds you? How do you maintain spiritual health amongst the busyness which our age holds as a cultural value?

In John 10:10 Jesus said that he has come that we “may have life, and have it abundantly.” Investigate and incorporate the practices of discipleship which yield health, so that our involvement with church communities can yield good fruit and provide a witness of life, not death, as reflected in the song lyrics above.

What are the ways that you cultivate a healthy life of following Jesus?