I've Got Soul but I'm Not a Soldier

The chorus, "I got Soul, but I'm not a Soldier" first attracted me to this song. I thought it was about not joining the military. Since I don't believe in war, I thought that line was a great line and I wanted to find out the full meaning of the song. I looked up the lyrics to the rest of the song and realized it's more a prodigal son story than anything. He's trying to say that he is spiritual and even a follower of Christ, but he's not a blind follower and a crusader.

It's not so much about this epic battle as it is about our hearts. He's not interested in just following rules, but he's able to look back at things and see how God has changed his heart and who he is. I can echo that spirit. It's a rock bottom type of song. He turned to God not as a result of his heart, but more out of a last resort. I know that God honors this selfishness, and even causes us pain to bring us to that point of utter necessity for Him. The prodigal son is a prime example of this. His love for us is so intense, that He doesn't care what our motives are for coming to Him. It's humbling when you think about it, because I know that I've gone to God often after trying just about everything else.

I've been through some things, been angry at God, been hurt, questioned God and I don't understand things, but I know that I'm no longer the cold-hearted boy I used to be. Paul said that when he was a child, he thought as a child, he acted like a child, but when he became a man, he put his childish ways behind him. That verse has been my vision statement the past few months and has always meant a lot to me, but I feel like I can own that statement more now than ever. It's a sad song, but a sweet song. Recognizing all the things that he's done, the mistakes that he's made that have had consequences. Things might not have turned out like he wants, and they might not, but at least he recognizes that they have shaped him and he's grown and is broken, but he's a man now and not a boy. Or at least that's how I feel these days.

All These Things I've Done (watch the commercial)

When there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
One more son
If you can hold on, hold on
If you can hold on, hold on
I wanna stand up, I wanna let go
You know, you know - no you don't, you don't
I wanna shine on in the hearts of men
I want a meaning from the back of my broken hand
Another head aches, another heart breaks
I am so much older than I can take
And my affection, well it comes and goes
I need direction to perfection, no no no no
Help me out
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
And when there's nowhere else to run
Is there room for one more son
These changes ain't changing me
The cold-hearted boy I used to be
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, you're gonna bring yourself down

I got soul, but I'm not a soldier (x10)

(Time, truth and hearts)
Yeah, you know you got to help me out
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You know you got to help me out, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Yeah, oh don't you put me on the backburner
You're gonna bring yourself down, yeah
You're gonna bring yourself down
Over and out, last call for sin

While everyone's lost, the battle is won
With all these things that I've done
All these things that I've done
(Time, truth and hearts)
If you can hold on
If you can hold on