Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Let My Love Open The Door" (Pete Townshend)

Welcome to the 7th week of 2014!  Hopefully with each of these weeks you have encountered a little something special about Tuesday...Tuesday's Musical Notes!!!  In case you have missed any of the first 6 of 2014, here are the links to catch up...otherwise known as "previously on Tuesday's Musical Notes":

Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Love Me Do"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Somebody To Love"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Magic"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Got To Get You Into My Life"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "The Safety Dance"
Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Sad Songs Say So Much"

It sure seems as we reach the 7th week (7 in Biblical Numerology is the number for completion or perfection) it would be appropriate to have a flashback...say to June of 2011.  That was when the 17th (different Biblical meaning, but it had 7 in it...) Tuesday's Musical Note email was sent to a group of friends and church family who found the perspectives of The Notes to be something they would like to read each week.  This is a modified version of that email that hopefully will encourage you to keep returning to this blog or forwarding the email on to your friends.  If you or someone you know would like Tuesday's Musical Notes delivered directly to your in box, just email me at rawacr@gmail.com and we'll get you added to the list...and now que the flashback music as we travel in reverse gear for nearly 3 years (also a significant Biblical number) for the final "LOVE" edition of Tuesday's Musical Notes...da da daaaa!!!




     There is a song that has been featured in at least 15 movie's or television shows.  It is written by an artist who has been a part of a band since the 60's.  He is also an accomplished solo artist.  "Who?" You may be asking.  You're absolutely right!!!   If you were a product of the '80s, or just like good music, you'll recognize his biggest solo hit right from the start.  Give it a listen.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUaRnGKfkBE

Pete Townshend has been the lead guitarist for the band The Who for 50 years.  1964 saw the formation of the band that continues to influence generations of rock-n-rollers.  His talent is only equaled by his charisma on stage as he obviously enjoys his opportunities to play.  "Let My Love Open The Door" was his biggest solo hit and tied The Who's biggest chart hit, "I Can See For Miles".  Both singles peaked at #9 on the US charts.  

In the liner notes for his 2005 Gold (Remaster) CD, Townshend refers to "Let My Love Open The Door" as "Jesus Sings".  Townshend's particular brand of religion is being a disciple of the Indian Baba Meher of which the song "Baba O'riley" was written in tribute. (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Baba O'riley")  "Let My Love Open The Door" is a song similar to so many of the treasured songs of our generation in that it could be used with a duality of meaning.  One meaning that is secular by its nature and one of which is overtly Christian. The overtly christian interpretation of "Let My Love Open The Door" could be used as a soundtrack for a familiar painting as well as passage of scripture.  Jesus' love is a powerful enticement for us to open the door to our hearts.  It is an unconditional love that surpasses anything we have ever experienced on earth.  It is a love that also calls us daily to die to our selfishness, embrace Christ's calling and then be faithful to that calling.

Revelation 3:20

20Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (King James Version)

Revelation 3:20

²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  (New International Version (NIV))

Revelation 3:20

²⁰ “Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you.  (The Message (MSG))

Now if you will humor me, ponder this familiar image:

This painting is inspired by "Light Of The World" by William Holman Hunt

There have been many paintings to express this passage of scripture.  Jesus stands at a closed door patiently waiting and knocking.  His eyes are determined, but not frustrated.  His demeanor is calm and not alarmed.  There is a light that can be seen shining through the window, indicating someone is home.  There is no handle on the outside of the door.  Jesus won't force himself in.  The only way this particular door can be opened is if the person occupying the room opens the door.  What a beautiful use of imagery for the calling to redemption.  Jesus wants to be with each and everyone of us, but we have to be the ones to open the door. 

     I'd like to take a "leap" if I may of interpreting this painting in another way.  I think Jesus "knocks" on our hearts door every time he has a calling in our life.  I first felt his "knock" on my door at the age of 12.  I didn't really open the door for that calling until I was 38. What a waste of time.... In Luke 9:23 Jesus calls us to daily take up our cross, our calling if you will, and follow him.  Maybe this painting can be interpreted as Jesus coming to get us for our daily walk with Him.  He knocks to see if we are ready for that day's tasks;  that day's challenges;  that day's victories;  that day's choices.  There are days that I leave Him there knocking.  My heart breaks when I think of those days.  Friend, each day we are met with the choice of opening that door, allowing Christ's plans for our day take precedence over our plans for the day.   So what do you do?  What plan does Christ have for your day if you will just open the door to his will?  Many times I hear Christians comment on the state of our world.  A common thread of the conversation nostalgically reflects, "It just isn't as good as it used to be."  Why is that?  Could it be that Christians today don't want to answer the knock because the calling is something they don't want to do?  Could it be that Christians of today have ultimately chosen really good things as a priority in their lives instead of the absolute best things that God has planned for them? 

     Let me tell you the story of a family.  A typical American family.  A typical "Christian" American Family.  Mom, Dad, and 2 children.  Mom and Dad make sure they are in church on Sunday morning......most of the time.  At least when there isn't an athletic event, homework, or  musical contest that requires participation from one of the kids.  Sunday evenings are for preparing for the week ahead and Wednesday evenings are for an athletic practice or musical rehearsal.  The church they attend has athletic teams that compete occasionally and artistic endeavors in which the entire family could participate, but Mom and Dad decide not to answer the "knock on the door".   20 years pass.  Mom and Dad are now Grandma and Grandpa and getting the grand-kids ready for Sunday morning service.  There is a difficulty in getting the grand-kids up, because they don't go anywhere on Sunday mornings normally,  they sleep late and rest up for the afternoon "fun" activities.......      "It just isn't as good as it used to be."   Knock, Knock, Knock


Jesus' love is a powerful enticement for us to open the door to our hearts.  It is an unconditional love that surpasses anything we have ever experienced on earth.  It is a love that also calls us daily to die to our selfishness and embrace Christ's calling.  Faithfully...embrace Christ's calling.  There is a tension in our lives that has the potential to make us miserable if not given an outlet.  Faithfulness to your particular work or calling as part of the body of Christ can relive that tension.  What does that mean?  Faithfulness to your christian responsibility means you are active in finding the work God has already planned for you and then diligent in continuing to participate in that work. Another word for this is the word "committed".  How sad that Christians all over the United States find it easier to commit to a sports team or other worldly pursuit than to commit to the work that God has called them to do upon their restoration experience.  Someone has well defined commitment as "the willingness to begin, the courage to continue, and the heart to stay".  Don't get me wrong.  The modern church and many of its activities are not perfect, yet they do offer the opportunity to ease the tension that you feel as a christian from doing nothing or from choosing the "good" things of this world instead of the "best" work that you were called to do.  Let me encourage you today by reminding you that it is ok on occasion to say "no" to the "good" things that you can choose to do.  By doing so you take the opportunity to... Release yourself from misery.....there's only one thing gonna set you free.......and that's MY love.....

'Til Tuesday

Serving HIM by serving you,
Randy