Michael W. Smith: Missing Person

One of the more remarkable benefits of walking is looking back and seeing from whence you've come. It has been mentioned in many different ways, but for those walking on a long journey across mountainous terrain speak of looking back at the mountain peaks they've crossed, and having their minds wander back to what they were thinking as they crossed them. Such is it in the mountains, and so it is in life. As I look back upon my life I see profound impacts made by various musical pieces, and one of the more noteworthy ones crossed my path again this past weekend. It is Michael W. Smith's album Live The Life. I remember when it came out there were some in certain Christian circles who balked at it because the names "God" or "Jesus" are not to be found anywhere on any of the songs. (Read here for one ridiculous take on the issue of the album and Smith as a person). It's unfortunate that the album would be discarded because of this, for if ever a set of Christian anthems was produced, this is the one.

The one song that captivated me then, and recaptured me this weekend, is Missing Person. (Hear it to a Yu-Gi-Oh movie here). As you can see from the lyrics below it deals with a lot of what I've been discussing on this blog of late, specifically a loss of faith, among other things. The subject is receiving lots of attention of late due to the Mother Teresa letters. Although I don't have any answers for myself at the present time, I'm certainly warmed to the idea that a state of questioning, doubt, uncertainty and confusion is a common distress among current and one-time believers. For now, the quest continues....

1st Verse:
Another question in me
One for the powers that be
It's got me thrown
And so I put on my poker face
And try to figure it out
This undeniable doubt
A common occurence
Feeling so out of place
Guarded and cynical now
Can't help but wondering how
My heart evolved into
A rock beating inside of me
So I feel such a stoic ordeal
Where's that feeling that I don't feel

Chorus:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searchin' for that missing person

2nd verse:
Under a lavender moon
So many thoughts consume me
Who dimmed that glowing light
That once burned so bright in me
Is this a radical phase
A problematical age
That keeps me running
From all that I used to be
Is there a way to unlearn
That carnal knowledge
That's chipping away at my soul
Iv'e been gone too long
Will I ever find my way home

Chorus:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I've been searchin' for that missing person
He used to want to try to walk the straight and narrow
He had a fire and he could feel it in the marrow

It's been a long time and I haven't seen him lately but I've been searchin' for that missing person