I just want to share a short message with you. I was about to take another look at the news before going to bed, but I decided not to. Sometimes, I can really see that the news is not so much to inform us but to inflame us. I can do without that nonsense tonight.
A lot of friends and neighbors have been feeling the weight of all this national turmoil. Of course, we Americans tend to think we are the center of the universe. If things get bad here, we assume it's a sign of the end of all times. Well, we are not the center of the universe, but I do believe that this world is creeping into end times chaos.
It is hard not to get discouraged when so much of the secular media is pushing doom and a lot of Christian news is putting man at the forefront - forgetting that our hope is to be in Christ alone. But we must not forget that.
I try to remind myself that the more chaotic this world gets, the closer we are to the return of Jesus. That should be our focus. We need to stop wringing our hands over what politicians are (or not) doing and start warning people to be ready for the Lord.
Recently, I started a text group with the women in my family. Every week, I share something I learned in my Bible study. Of course, I have mentioned the blackboard I hang outside my door. I share some verse or verses of encouragement. These are little things, but they matter.
My younger brother is one of those people who has no problem bringing up his faith with strangers. He will be having one of those brief interactions with someone in a grocery store and somehow manage to bring up why he puts his trust in Jesus. I've tried to emulate his methods and end up working myself into a state of anxiety about it.
I have found one way to spread the gospel - in a very passive way. I bought a large blackboard to hang outside my apartment door. Every few days I will write out a Bible passage for people to see as they pass by. For the first several weeks I wondered if anyone took time to notice, then neighbors started to comment (positively) about it. One day, I stepped out and caught the building's cleaning lady taking a snapshot of the board. She explained that since she didn't have time to write down the messages, she always took a snap. (By the way, I have since learned that some neighbors do take time to write down the chapter and verse to read later!)
So, while I have found a way to share some of the Bible with a limited amount of people, I do want to start being more Christlike in my interactions with more people. I have found one way to do this - even though I get some anxiety about it!
The idea came to me after I recently attended a family wedding. One of my young relatives seemed to be struggling with thoughts of his life mistakes as he watched the new couple celebrate. To strangers, he looked like any other guest at the event - happy and enjoying the festivities. I felt that he seemed to be a little melancholy, and I know that he has separated from his own wife after just a few years. I've been there: having to watch other couples so happy when your own relationship has faltered.
I didn't get a chance to say anything about all this at the time but, when I got home, I did send this person a message. I simply let him know that I saw his pain and that I could relate. I let him know I'm here if he needs me. He sent me a heart and kiss back. At least he knows now that his pain is recognized.
Not sure where I am going with all this. I guess I just wanted to encourage everyone to be Christlike in their interactions. Not all of us are as bold as my brother, but we can all be loving and kind in other ways.
If you see someone who needs to be checked on, check on them. It doesn't take a lot to let someone feel "seen". Everyone wants to matter.
When I was growing up and listening to a lot of music, my friends would tease me because I always misheard lyrics. There is a name for that now: mondegreens. Huh.
I looked up and found a list of common examples of misheard lyrics:
"I Can See Clearly Now"
by Johnny Nash: Some listeners hear "I can see clearly now Lorraine is gone" instead of the correct lyric "I can see clearly now the rain is gone".
"I'm a Believer"
by The Monkees: The lyric "Then I saw her face, now I'm a believer" is sometimes misheard as "Then I saw her face, now I'm gonna leave her".
"Losing My Religion"
by R.E.M.: The line "That's me in the corner, that's me in the spotlight" is often misheard as "Let's pee in the corner, let's pee in the spotlight".
"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)"
by Eurythmics: The title lyric is sometimes misheard as "Sweet dreams are made of cheese".
"Blowin' in the Wind"
by Bob Dylan: The lyric "The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind" is sometimes misheard as "These ants are my friends, they're blowin' in the wind".
"Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap"
by AC/DC: The title is often misheard as "Dirty deeds and the thunder chief" or "Dirty deeds and they're done with sheep".
Kind of silly, right? But I'm sure we can all relate. Misheard lyrics are one thing. At least we are paying attention to what we think is being said. What bothers me is when we don't apply discernment to what we hear.
I think it was the pastors Joe Schimmel and G. Craige Lewis that first prompted me to pay attention to lyrics and meanings. One song we've probably all heard at least once is "I Write the Songs" sung by Barry Manilow, but written by Beach Boy Bruce Johnston.
On the surface of my mind, I always heard the song as a lovely melodious tribute to the creativity. Then, as I said, I was prompted to get out of my social emotions and pay attention to what was being conveyed.
Here are the lyrics and, as you read them, think about who is speaking and what the message is. I boldfaced some of the words:
I've been alive forever
And I wrote the very first song
I put the words and the melodies together
I am music, and I write the songs
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
My home lies deep within you
And I've got my own place in your soul
Now when I look out through your eyes
I'm young again, even though I'm very old
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
Oh, my music makes you dance
And gives your spirit to take a chance
And I wrote some rock 'n' roll, so you can move
Music fills your heart, well, that's a real fine place to start
It's from me, it's for you
It's from you, it's from me
It's a worldwide symphony
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
I write the songs that make the whole world sing
I write the songs of love and special things
I write the songs that make the young girls cry
I write the songs, I write the songs
I am music (music), and I write the songs.
People might say that the song is from the viewpoint of God - I read that's what Johnston claimed. But would God want to make anyone cry? Would God want your spirit to take a chance?
G. Craige Lewis once pointed out that Lucifer was created with "tabrets" and "pipes," built into him. Some people think of Lucifer as having been a chief musician in Heaven. That's debatable, but it's how many people think of him.
My point is that we (okay, me) often hear without listening. Even I have thought a lot of innocent-sounding songs have deeper and darker meanings buried in them. Mainly, I chose these because something in them just felt wrong in my spirit. You might some debatable but here is a list:
"Stairway to Heaven" Led Zeppelin
"Sympathy for the Devil" The Rolling Stones
"Hotel California" The Eagles
"Riders on the Storm" The Doors
Actually, I didn't like anything by The Doors because the lead singer creeped my out for some reason...
Here are a couple of videos showing more songs. I noticed I already had some on my list.
And don't think that so-called "gospel" and "Christian worship" songs are any better. So many people striving to be "stars" are doing anything to get there. Anyway, people, be more discerning in your every day life, as I will be.
