By now, many of you have watched the series finale of LOST and many have developed sharp perspectives of the ending. Some of you like it, some of you don’t and many of you were, in fact, quite frustrated by it, whether you felt that you were owed more answers, or you didn’t like the answers you were given.

I personally ove that many of us were so frustrated by the ending of LOST. Sure, it ultimately undermined a Christian worldview, but at the same time, it also, (perhaps unwittingly) supported many Christian beliefs. Many of us were left unsatisfied because we wanted clear-cut answers. Answers, which, I’m not so sure we ever should have expected in the first place. Walt was not the point so why does it matter where he went? The Man in Black didn’t need a name. The “flash-sideways” perspective was the result of the bomb, what do you need beyond that?

In the end, LOST owed no one any clear answers because life gives us no clear answers. God often gives us no clear answers (at least from our perspective). Why should we expect a piece of fiction to do what life does not? Is that part of the role of fiction? Do we expect fiction to do what life does not and we’re upset when it somehow doesn’t? Isn’t part of the role of art actually to hold up a mirror to life? If LOST got us, even for a moment, wrapped up in a story greater than ourselves and thinking of deeper things, isn’t that enough? You may not like the way it ended, but it owed us no more answers that it gave. It was never about the answers but about the questions.

And yet, the show did provide many more answers than we may initially realize: There are rules. There is good and there is evil. We cannot live without faith. We are each called individually to a purpose that is best fulfilled in community. Community thrives best, as Alan Hirsch might say, when it becomes communitas. Sometimes we need to ask for help. There is a purpose greater than us. We are each called to lay down a piece of ourselves for the benefit of others and there is one who not only shows us how but does it for us. “Free Will” is rarely as free as we think it is. Truth will set you free. Purposes beyond ourselves often require sacrifice. Our choices have consequences. Everyone needs redemption and we cannot earn ultimate redemption (perhaps the “Shephard” lays down his life?). Deep down, we are all lost and long to be found. And, love wins.

That’s a lot of answers. Beyond that, why aren’t we comfortable with tension? Why aren’t we comfortable with unresolved issues? Whether or not it meant to, LOST reminds us that there is an ultimate resolution that is beyond us and we all have a lot of questions about that ultimate resolution. We all long for that resolution even if we don’t fully understand what it means or how to get it. It lies beyond us and yet ultimately and intimately involves us. We are part of something greater than ourselves.

Beyond that, what did you expect?

Ok folks, here are my picks for the tops of 2009. By way of explanation: I went with songs rather than albums because, well, I think the album format is almost dead.

Television:

• Community. For those of us who liked Joel McHale on E’s Talk Soup, this is a perfect venue for his humor. Good to see Chevy Chase on his game.
• The Office. Yes, I think the dual-manager plot is tiring. However, these characters are so darn loveable that I keep looking forward to Thursday nights.
• Curb Your Enthusiasm. Ok, so I have to watch these on video since I don’t have HBO. But, without a doubt, this is brilliant television.

Songs:

• Something Is Squeezing My Skull by Morrissey:

Moz is over 50 and still rocking. Jesse Tobias (briefly with Red Hot Chili Peppers and formerly with Alanis Morissette) provides some deafening guitar, and the songs frank discussion about the mind-numbing effect of anti-depressant drugs is powerful, culminating in the refrain “don’t give me anymore, please don’t give me anymore.” Also, Morrissey believes in miracles!

 

• I Am Weary With My Sighing by Doug Burr:

Denton’s own Doug Burr is the real deal. “Weary” is on Shawl, Burr’s 2009 album of Psalms. Yes, Psalms as in the Bible. What do you get when you add Burr’s twang, Bible verses, slide guitar, and great backing vocals? Brilliance.

 

• Wrong by Depeche Mode:

Ok, so Depeche Mode has been putting out mediocre albums for over a decade. Each album has 1 or 2 good songs, and thanks to iTunes, fans are no longer subjugated to the crap. 2009’s Sound of the Universe is no exception. It is mostly forgettable, except for this catchy song

 

• Crown on the Ground by Sleigh Bells:

A must-here song. It is loud and obnoxious but singer Alexis Krauss has an irresistible voice. This song has such a monstrous riff!

 

• Always Like This by The Bombay Bicycle Club:

This is a song that has grown on me. Lead singer Jack Steadman’s wobbling voice is intriguing and the song has a great hook.

 

• Island Is by Volcano Choir:

Justin Vernon gives us another great offering from his side project, Volcano Choir. Island, IS is an interesting combination of Vernon’s earthy tone and tripnotic beats.

 

Videos:

• I Love You Better by the Maccabees.

It’s a good song and the freeze frames are pretty cool:

 

Websites:

• Facebook, of course. There is no better social networking site. It is an internet party for the masses. But beware, new social site are first for the masses but quickly become elitist. We saw this with blogs. Remember when *everyone* had a blog? Well, I bet most of us did have now consolidated or stopped altogether. There is no way to monitor ALL those blogs. The same is true with Facebook friends, so be looking for some elitist level or jump to somehow distinguish popular face bookers with lollygaggers. It will be the internet version of Lettermen’s jackets.
• Urbanspoon. Where to eat!?! Wonder no longer. Urbanspoon will help find the right joint and save you from wasting your money on less-than-stellar meals. Why is it great? Customer reviews, neighborhood searches, connectivity with facebook and MySpace, and search-ability (you want Indian food in Gary, Indiana? Just go to Urbanspoon and vuala!) make this the end-all site for dining out.