To end this eventful year, I chose Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ “Wake up Everybody,” released in November 1975. This song, on the album of the same name, spoke truths 45 years ago, and those truths hold true today. We must “wake up” and make changes in our nation. We cannot continue to be blind to injustice. How is it that this song points out things that have not changed over time? The answer is we haven’t changed over time. The first line and chorus say,
Wake up everybody no more sleepin’ in bed. No more backward thinkin’ time for thinkin’ ahead. The world has changed so very much from what it used to be. There is so much hatred war an' poverty…
The world won't get no better if we just let it be The world won't get no better we gotta change it yeah, just you and me
I am writing this December article in November amid unsubstantiated claims of wrongdoing in the 2020 election. Many people are being distracted by calls for unnecessary recounts and baseless lawsuits; and they are gathering and spreading the most aggressive virus known to mankind. I admire people having faith in the leadership, but true faith is too important to our well-being to be built on “alternative facts.”
The song lyrics mention backward thinking; hatred; war and poverty; teachers teaching a new way; doctors helping the old people because they are suffering; builders building a new land, they can do it if we all lend a hand…. These things needed our attention then, and these things must get our attention now. We cannot survive with a “them verse us” mentality because the identity of “them” and “us” changes depending on whom we ask. The lyrics also point out that it “don't matter what race, creed or color; everybody we need each other.”
We must live in HOPE of a better tomorrow, we must let LOVE of humankind and creation guide our decisions, we must find JOY in the little things so that the big things don’t disappoint us, and we must work towards PEACE by using our gifts and talents to benefit the nation. Working together we can build a new land, one person, one project, one step at a time, with purpose on purpose. Our church has members of the three major political parties. We know that it is possible to work together when we put the welfare of all people over politics. If you feel the same, join us. We meet virtually for worship on Sunday mornings at 10 am Meeting ID: 851 2578 5976 Passcode: 850888 One tap mobile +13017158592, Bible study on Wednesdays, and check in to chat on Thursdays. More information can be found on our webpage www.eumcbeltsville.com or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/groups/EUMCBeltsville/. Until next time:
Work
Aggressively
Knowing that truth
Eventually
Unifies
People