One of the criticisms of today's Christian music--and sometimes deservedly so--is that the lyrics are shallow, lacking meaning, and often seem to have little to do with the Lord.

But that's not always true, not by a long shot. For example, one of the songs our station currently has in fairly heavy rotation is by a new band called Casting Crowns.



(Pictured: [L to R] Mark Hall, lead singer of Casting Crowns, and Hector Cervantes, guitar and vocals)

My daughter and I heard their song, "If We are the Body," while we were out and about this weekend, and we were both struck by how meaningful and even convicting the lyrics are. Here they are:

"If We are the Body
Casting Crowns

It's crowded in worship today
As she slips in trying to fade into the faces
The girls' teasing laughter is carrying farther than they know
Farther than they know

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

A traveler is far away from home
He sheds his coat and quietly sinks into the back row
The weight of their judgmental glances
Tells him that his chances are better out on the road

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price
For us to pick and choose who should come
And we are the body of Christ

But if we are the body
Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing?
Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body
Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?
There is a way

Jesus is the way"