What's Going On?

When I was born, utter chaos was happening in our world and my nation, the United States of America. In the Spring of 1969 we were in the heat of the Vietnam War. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Robert (Bobby) Kennedy had not been in the grave from assassination a year when I made my first cry. There were riots, protests and violence. The civil rights movement for African-Americans was successful, but racial tension was still extremely high. Most seemed to be unhappy. There was very little peace. 

Here we are.. again. Wars and rumors of wars are daily. Terror attacks are happening in many places of the world. Thank God no one has been assassinated in our government in the United States, but there have been many attempts here. In other countries, there have been many attempts and successes. The civil rights movement is now in full swing with other groups of people who are protesting and fighting for rights; and change. Racial tension and anti semitism are high. Most people seem to be unhappy. There is very little peace.

So, once again Marvin Gaye's 1971 hit song "What's Going On?" is appropriate. His answer to the social craziness is kind of true: "For only love can conquer hate, You know we've got to find a way to bring some lovin' here today." For your convenience I have posted the rest of the lyrics at the bottom of this entry.

Well, Love came 2000 years ago, nailed Himself to a tree, rose from the dead to conquer sin and death and gave us the directive to live as love to conquer the world and it's leader, Satan. If we all decided to love like Jesus did and to treat everyone the way we would in word and deed, what a world that would be! I like the song, but Love came. We don't have to find a way because God provided the Way, Jesus, for us. He is here! It's up to us to choose to live love out. 

"Beloved, let us love one another. For love is of God and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love, does not know God, for God is love." - I John 4:7-8

What's Going On by Marvin Gaye

Mother, mother
There's too many of you crying
Brother, brother, brother
There's far too many of you dying
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today - Ya

Father, father
We don't need to escalate
You see, war is not the answer
For only love can conquer hate
You know we've got to find a way
To bring some lovin' here today

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me, so you can see
Oh, what's going on
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Ah, what's going on

In the mean time
Right on, baby
Right on
Right on

Father, father, everybody thinks we're wrong
Oh, but who are they to judge us
Simply because our hair is long
Oh, you know we've got to find a way
To bring some understanding here today
Oh

Picket lines and picket signs
Don't punish me with brutality
Talk to me
So you can see
What's going on
Ya, what's going on
Tell me what's going on
I'll tell you what's going on - Uh
Right on baby
Right on baby