It’s The Little Things (Brutal Planet, 2000)

This week we discuss another song from the Brutal Planet LP. The album takes a dark, somewhat sarcastic approach to raw, thought-provoking topics such as racism, terrorism, gluttony, greed, abuse, and the fall of humanity. Each track throws the listener deeper and deeper into the dimmer side of humanity. What’s most interesting is the timing of this record. Released in 2000, little did Alice or anyone else know that the new millennium would bring actual events that personify the irony of the disparagement found on our Brutal Planet. From a wide-angle lens and a broad viewpoint of our existence, one might feel as if there’s no redemption or better path. Things just ‘are what they are.’ Fortunately, we’ve traveled far enough on this journey through Alice’s career and life to know there’s more to life than destruction, chaos, and misery. There’s a better life that IS attainable – if and when we are willing to recognize it and then choose it.

“It’s The Little Things” is a witty track about the small things in life that irritate us. What’s interesting about this song is the absolute, unabashed honesty with which it’s presented. Alice confesses in the song that the substantial problems in life aren’t what bothers him, it’s the lesser things. The trivial annoyances. He mentions people talking during the movies or asking him about his name (most likely referring to him being asked, “why the name Alice?”). He’s admitting to the world, “Look, I’m human too.” As if to say, the things that bother me are the same things that bother you. Let’s all just “treat each other the way we want to be treated” (Matthew 7:12).

How many of us live life on the edge?… Always ready to snap – at the slow driver in the fast lane, the traffic light that stays red too long, the person in the checkout line with 30 coupons, endless Instagram/Facebook selfies & pictures of the food folks are about to eat, slow internet, etc. The smaller, everyday irritants are what peck away at our existence. They may seem unimportant, but with every interaction, a part of our soul can be taken from us…if we allow it. In fact, this is what our society has become – impatient, angry, and looking for a fight. Life is messy – not only the crucial, more critical moments but the trivial ones as well. How we navigate our life’s events, our relationships with others, and knowing our Father, through His Son and Spirit, is what truly matters in life.

With Christmas and New Year’s right around the corner, let’s look at this topic from another perspective. How many of us are dreading time spent with relatives? Relatives that may or may not always be pleasant. Often times, it’s nothing more than a snide comment, a pointed stare, or a political discussion that ruins the entire evening. What is supposed to be a holiday founded on the Love of God and His gift to humanity (John 3:16) often becomes a night filled with discontent, damaged egos, and ungrateful attitudes. Honestly, life is messy and chaotic (especially family life), and the “Little Things” that bug us are usually situational. In fact, most of the little things that bug us are actually small miracles beneath the surface, waiting to be recognized. Stop and give that one some thought.

SIDE NOTE: From my own personal situation, I’ve noticed that it’s not so much one little thing that causes frustration or anger, but it’s a culmination of those little things. For instance, one of the kids spilled the milk. No worries, just clean it up. The toilet in the downstairs bathroom is clogged again. Not a big deal, couple of plunges and it’s unclogged. The dress code at work now requires you to wear a uniform. No problem, just pick up the clothes that are needed. I forgot to feed the dog this morning. No issues, I’ll just run home at lunch and take care of Abby. It’s not so much the problems themselves, but the amount or frequency with which they are happening. On days when it seems all of these “Little Things” occur, they can feel like noteworthy obstacles. However, they are really nothing more than the trivial aspects of life, and usually, there’s something more substantial that is really the culprit or the reason for your frustration. In fact, the enemy likes to annoy us with the “Little Things” to keep us from focusing on the most important thing – our walk with Christ, our purpose for living.

Back to the conversation. How on Earth can life’s annoyances actually be “small miracles?” Again, it’s all about perspective. Piles of laundry represent people we love. An unmowed lawn represents the home you live in. The alarm going off in the morning means you’ve survived to live another day. The stoplight you’re stuck at, and the traffic you’re in implies you have a vehicle and can drive. The list continues on. The bottom line is, life can be “good” or “bad” depending on your point of view. What are you going to do with those small irritants? How are you going to process the little things? Maybe strive to see past them and recognize the blessings that cause these “Little Things” to exist.

Let’s pause for a second and place ourselves into the lives of Mary and Joseph, living out the “First Christmas.” Mary has been called by God to be a vessel for the Savior of the world (Luke 1:26-38), yet she’s lost the respect of her family and her fiancé (Matthew 1:18-19). (In fact, she could have very easily been stoned by the people in town – stoned on the doorstep of her family according to Jewish Law.) At first, Joseph feels betrayed, thinking that Mary has been unfaithful to him, yet he cares enough about her to protect her and keep her from harm and public disgrace. After deciding to journey together to Bethlehem, neither Mary nor Joseph knew what to expect. Once they arrived in Bethlehem, they were not welcomed or greeted. In fact, there was not even a place for them to stay (Luke 2:7). By this time, Mary and Joseph knew the grand picture (Matthew 1:20-25), but “It’s The Little Things” that could have easily detoured them, made them doubt, or led them into worse scenarios. Especially those first few years, when they must have asked why the path for the Messiah into this world was so messy, so tricky, and so imperfect.

Imagine the questions Mary and Joseph must have asked God during that time. While they both knew the significance of what they had been asked to do, they had to have doubted the process. Why weren’t they welcomed in Bethlehem? Why didn’t God give them a better path and shelter in the inn? Why weren’t they welcomed and shown hospitality? Why was Jesus, the Christ, brought into this world surrounded by livestock instead of royalty? Why a manger for a crib? Why did they have to flee for Egypt to keep Him safe from a mad king? Imagine the list of questions and doubts they must have endured before His ministry began. “It’s The Little Things” that drive us insane. Knowing that God has a plan, yet not fully understanding how it will unfold. It’s often our narrow-mindedness that keeps from recognizing His magnificence at the time, yet we are left awestruck when we see His final design take form.

Wrapping this up, it’s easy to get caught up in the trivial moments of this life. The things that misdirect us, anger us, and leave us ready to give up. In fact, isn’t it the “Little Things” that the enemy uses to try and keep us distracted? The actions of others, the interruptions, the unplanned events, etc. that keep us focused on unimportant matters instead of what God has called us to accomplish. How do we handle the “Little Things” in life? Do we make them more significant than they really are? Focusing on these things often leads us to a messy, unfulfilling existence. One where we are only focused on the minutia of this world. Proverbs 3:5-8 reads, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” As we continue to live out our days, may we learn to TRUST Him and not be distracted by the absurdity of this world – the “Little Things” that can and will drive us mad – if we allow them to.

In conclusion, the songs from Brutal Planet are proverbial in nature. Honestly, most of Alice’s catalog follows that narrative. “Do this, not that” lessons and parables that teach us about ourselves and our lives. However, Brutal Planet and the following album, Dragontown, especially shed light on humanity apart from God. What life looks like when there’s no purpose or meaning behind it. In fact, when we start taking a closer look at our world and this life, we find that Heaven is about SOMEONE – Heaven is an option because of CHRIST. Pure Hell is living a life apart from HIM – an existence that society chooses to call ordinary. As you celebrate Christmas, know that you are not ordinary – you are EXTRAORDINARY! Asked by our Father to be something more than just here until you die. If you haven’t already done so, seek Him and His plan for your life. During this Holiday season, ask for Him to reveal His path for you in the New Year. Don’t be afraid of what you feel led to say or do. As you discover His purpose for you and your life, remember the words of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” If your faith and trust lie with Him, then you have nothing to fear!

That’s it for this week. Be well and catch you next Friday!

Until then, keep Walkin’ in Faith and Rockin’ with Alice!