In our world, greeting seems to be a lost art. So many folks are looking down at cell phones, or won't meet your eye. That tends to make it difficult to engage them even if it is only for a brief moment to wish them well with the positive tones of a "good day" or a smile. Those who will engage you are a mixed bag of reactions. Some are astonished that you, as a stranger, would even speak to them. Others will smile and greet you back. Some will completely ignore you. And in the extreme case, you get a vitriolic response. I really don't get the anger that permeates underneath the surface of our society. I can't understand, what makes a man hate another man. I guess as Depeche Mode used to say..."People are People"
or perhaps you're an Air Force person:
maybe the 12"?
1984 was an outstanding year. The NCAA announced that its end of the season basketball tournament would be expanded to 64 teams, exacerbating the term "March Madness". (By the way...Woo Pigs Sooie, beat Butler!!!) The most successful album by the rock band Van Halen, the aptly titled 1984, would be released, sending the band to the heights of royalty at MTV and in the charts. "Where's the Beef?" gets asked by Clara Peller of a hamburger attendant for the first time in a Wendy's ad. Apple computer company releases its newest incarnation of their personal computer line, the Macintosh. Michael Jackson really wishes he didn't have a Pepsi. Sarajevo, Yugoslavia was the site for the Winter Olympics. And on March 12th, English band Depeche Mode released what will become one of their most popular singles.
Hailing from Basildon, Essex in England, Depeche Mode formed as a quartet in 1980. Their 14 albums have sold over 100 million records worldwide as well as receiving numerous accolades. Depeche Mode continues to record, (Spirit was released in 2017) and tour with 2 of its founding members, Andy Fletcher and Martin Gore. In fact, today's featured song was included on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's list of 500 Albums That Shaped Rock and Roll.
They were part of the 2nd wave British Invasion that occurred in the 80's when the sound was electronic and the hair was...well very interesting. Bands like Flock of Seagulls (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "I Ran (So Far Away)"), Howard Jones (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No One Is To Blame"), The Human League (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Human") and Duran, Duran would make the British sound appealing and because of MTV, the British band "look" was beamed all over the world via satellite to a massive throng of replicants. It's been 34 years since Depeche Mode exploded onto the music scene, thus allowing for their nomination for inclusion in the 2018 class for the Hall of Fame.
Jesus understood people. As God, the Son, Jesus was there when people were created, so He should understand them very well. God knew that there would need to be boundaries by which man should live, so He gave us the 10 commandments. Jesus said that the 2 greatest commandments of the 10 were to love God and love your neighbor. (The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple Matthew, chapter 22, verses 36-40 New International Version of the Bible/The Message paraphrase of the Bible/English Standard Version of the Bible parallel) A deeper investigation and pondering of the 10 commandments reveal how the first 4 detail our relationship with God, while the last 6 explain our relationship to other men and women. (Exodus 20:1-17 NIV/The Message/ESV)
In reality, we live in a world that would much rather promote hatred, division, and war, than love, unity, and peace. For all the talk about bringing the cultures of the world together, there is a disproportionate amount of media, movie themes, and opinions that highlight the differences that we have. This marketing of hate, given under the guise of good intent, exacerbates the problem. Listen to the music of our day. Look at the movies and video games that are being profligated towards us. Watch ANY television news media and see what the lead may be. Those of the religious bend, who happen to have a TV network or following, sometimes add to the chaos by espousing personal opinion rather than preaching the Good News of Jesus Christ. In His day, Jesus called these charlatans out as heretics and hypocrites. Finally, our elected officials at the federal level cry out for unity all while pointing out and highlighting our individualities. Have you ever watched C-Span when the House of Representatives is in session? The jockeying for political power, position, reelection, playing to the constituency and sometimes pure contempt by some "representatives" can be difficult to watch. And we ponder with Depeche Mode, "what makes a man hate another man?"
Please realize that there is a different Way. Sometimes that Way is difficult to see or hear because of all of the aforementioned "noise" in our world, but The Way is there. There are GOOD representatives, pastors, songs, journalists, movies and video games. They promote the last 6 commandments in exemplary ways. Jesus said of Himself that He was that different Way. It mattered not to Jesus who He encountered, they were treated with respect, dignity, and love. Jesus was sorrowful and compassionate for their lostness, healed their illness, and made a way for them to successfully navigate our world's wilderness. He was relational and not condemning. (The Gospel of Jesus according to the disciple John 4:1-26 NIV/The Message/ESV) He was straightforward, brutally honest and could get angry without it being a sin. (John 2:13-25 NIV/The Message/ESV ) Interestingly enough, these 2 incidents bookend one of the best known, well-loved passages in all of the Bible that exhibits His ultimate example of love for people: John 3:13-21 NIV/The Message/ESV
So dear friend, understand this. The God who created you and me created us to relate to each other. He created us to talk to each other with respect and dignity. We were created to be friends and to be friendly to everyone we encounter. Our relationships should be ones of edification, empathy, and encouragement, and not just to those who are the ones in which we have the most in common, but with everyone.
How is this done? First, you have to have your relationship with God restored. You do this by believing that Jesus was Who He said He was, God's Son sent to redeem you and restore that relationship with God. Anything else you do in your life is meaningless unless you have your association with God in order. When you do this the first 4 commandments become meaningful to you and are a lifestyle rather than a list of commands. Secondly, You could start by opening doors for folks. If you know them call them by name. Stop using pronouns when you can use someone's name. Watch someone light up when you call them by name. Many folks have name tags at their place of employment. If you can see it, try calling the clerk who is serving you by name and see how they respond. Write down the person's name at the business with which you are on the phone and say their name to them as often as you can. By doing this, you become relational and you have a better opportunity to show the love of Jesus. Because as we read the Gospel's, it is evident that Jesus knew everyone by their name and loved them. Sometimes this can be hard, but be diligent, because it's really the simplest things that can make a difference in one's life because let's face it...People are People...
'Til Tuesday,
Serving HIM by serving You,
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