By: Dr. Jeff Fuller
Over the past two weeks, I have found myself humming the same two songs again and again. You have been there, haven’t you? The song seeps into your head, rolls around and around like the water in a washing machine, and at some point, begins to flow out from your mouth like a waterfall gushing over rocks and rills.
Honestly, I have found myself not just humming, but singing these two songs at the top of my lungs.
“What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love,
No not just for some but for everyone.Lord, we don’t need another mountain,
There are mountains and hillsides enough to climb
There are oceans and rivers enough to cross,
Enough to last till the end of time.Lord, we don’t need another meadow
There are cornfields and wheat fields enough to grow
There are sunbeams and moonbeams enough to shine
Oh listen, lord, if you want to know.No, not just for some, oh, but just for everyone.”
(Source: LyricFind; Songwriters: Burt F. Bacharach / Hal David; What the World Needs Now Is Love lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc, BMG Rights Management, Royalty Network)
Love, sweet love is an answer for the world we live in; a world broken, as if beyond repair. We have issues and problems on every side. Insurmountable things without any solution. Yet, what is most disheartening with the dawning of each new day a new problem appears more complex and becomes another number on a growing list of demands for attention.
Congress will make laws.
Organizations will press for reforms.
Individuals will raise up grassroots efforts to clean up or make changes.
These are good thoughts, but the ultimate answer is not in making laws, establishing reforms, and making efforts to clean up.
How it is possible to live in a fallen world?
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:44-45 CSB)
Love. (1) The love of Jesus is the answer. He gave His life for all. He gave His life for the ones who put Him to death. (2) The love of mankind is the answer. Love at a time of extreme, vicious, murderous hate. Love accepting all in view of the cross.
This is the love of Jesus and the love of mankind extended to all. When this becomes the normal others will see who belong to God, Children of God. The church and God’s people must be a part of the solution. Sharing the Gospel with all. Serving all neighbors. Seeking opportunities to unite.
Ultimately the answer is found in the other song rolling, pitching, pounding in my head:
“Jesus Is The Answer For The World Today
Above Him There’s No Other Jesus Is The Way
If You Have Some Questions In The Corners Of Your Mind
And Traces Of Discouragement And Peace You Cannot Find
Reflections Of The Old Past, They Seem To Face You Everyday
There’s One Thing I Know For Sure That Jesus Is Away
Jesus Is The Answer For The World Today
I Know You Got Mountains That You Think You Cannot Climb
I Know That Your Skies Have Been Dark, You Think The Sun Won’t Shine
The Word Of God Is True
And Everything That He Promised
I Tell You He Would Do It For You
Jesus Is The Answer For The World Today”
(Source: Musixmatch; Songwriters: Andrae Crouch / Sandra Crouch; Jesus Is the Answer lyrics © Bud-john Songs Inc, Bud John Songs, Bud-john Songs Inc.)
Until next time…