Time to ‘Get Together’ and ‘Love One Another’
In 1967, when the Vietnam War was escalating at an alarming rate, peace rallies were springing up in cities and towns across the United States. Thousands of anti-war activists — young and old — were coming together to plead with our nation’s leaders to put an end to the conflict.
That same year, a musical group known as The Youngbloods released “Get Together.” The song would become an anthem for that generation, and many generations that followed. Unfortunately, we have failed to heed that call. In fact, violence in our world seems to know no limits or boundaries.
To think that we might somehow wave a magic wand and put an end to the madness would be naïve at best, but now that we have entered the Lenten season, we have an extended period of time to devote to reflection and prayer, and among our prayers, we would be wise to consider a plea for peace among our nations, in our cities, in our schools, and in our homes.
The lyrics from that iconic Youngbloods’s song are remarkably spiritual, yet they still resonate to this day. Here is a brief excerpt…
If you hear the song I sing
You will understand, listen
You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It’s there at your command
Come on, people now
Smile on your brother
Everybody get together
Try to love one another right now
Who is it that “holds the key to love and fear?” Clearly, we could make a case that it is the God we serve, but we can also unlock them both if we follow His Word and love one another.
As we reflect on this Lenten season, I think we would all agree that it is time to “get together,” and “try to love one another right now.”
Until we meet again, Be Blessed! – Pastor John