The Welcome
Hey there! It's Tuesday and it's time for Tuesday's Musical Notes! We're the blog where you can find your favorite songs in a totally different context. We think you're gonna like it!
We hope that you had a great weekend as we remembered those who have given "the final full measure of devotion" to our country. Their sacrifice is always something we should keep at the forefront of our minds as we enjoy our 3 day weekends, barbeques, the kick-off to summer, and time with friends and family. As we commemorate those heroes, we must also remember that regardless of the public perspective of the conflicts in which they were involved, they were victorious in their efforts! How are we assured of their victory? Our country remains a beacon of freedom, our people get to choose how they live their lives, and the American way of life is the envy of many around the world. I claim that as a victory for those brave men and women! From Tuesday's Musical Notes we salute you, pray for your families, and thank God for your sacrifice!
The Set-Up
These brave men and women answered a call to service that no one can deny. Believe it or not, everyone has some sort of call to something that their lives are driven toward. Some folks don't even realize they are being called while others don't appear to be heeding the call as they just sit still (a calling in and of itself). As we mature, the way we serve our calling can change. How we attend the call on our lives adjusts as our resources, culture, and wisdom continue to grow. Yet, the call never seems to leave.
We are either running towards the calling or running from it. Which are you doing? That great philosopher Mike Rutherford asks a question that seems appropriate at this point. "...Can you hear me? Can you hear me running? Can you hear me running, can you hear me calling you?..."
The Music Video
The Background
The first track and single from the eponymous album Mike + The Mechanics (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "All I Need is a Miracle" (Mike + The Mechanics)) would solidify the band as a stalwart for the 80s. The band was the brainchild of bassist Mike Rutherford from Genesis (Tuesday's Musical Notes - "No Reply at All" (Genesis), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Misunderstanding" (Genesis), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Follow You, Follow Me" (Genesis), Tuesday's Musical Notes - "Invisible Touch" (Genesis)). Mike + The Mechanics featured a rotation of artists singing and playing the music which Rutherford wrote.
Today's featured song was cowritten by B.A. Roberson (Also Cowriter of "The Living Years" another single from the album) and would crack the top ten on Billboard's Hot 100, peaking at #6. It was one of a trifecta of singles that would propel the album to #26 on the Billboard 200 album chart.
"Silent Running" and "All I Need is a Miracle" were placed together in a concept video to gain more exposure to both songs. As you can see above the videos were abbreviated to maintain time constraints for MTV and other broadcasters.
The song was featured in the environmentally-conscious
"Silent Running (On Dangerous Grounds)" futuristic message and vibe have given it an appeal that seems very timely in our current environment and also drives requests for the song on classic radio.
Bible Time
"Silent Running (On Dangerous Ground)" is a song about following one's destiny or calling. This is a theme that is constant throughout the Bible. We have seen this in our escorting the lives of Abraham, Joseph, and Moses as we have continued our journey through the great stories of the Bible. Last week, we introduced Samuel who was surrendered by his mother, Hannah, to the calling on his life. Today we see that calling play out as Samuel begins to hear from God. Shhh...Eli the elderly priest is sleeping...
Right off the bat, we can see that the nation of Israel is in some deep trouble. Since the time of Abraham, God had been relatively vocal to specific folks about the direction in which He wanted the nation to go. After time and again of the nation's disobedience, God is beginning to pull back from the rebellious nation. We open 1 Samuel 3 with the declaration that "...word from the Lord was rare in those days; visions were infrequent...". This does not bode well. Eli the priest had allowed his sons to corrupt the priesthood to the point that few people wanted to worship consistently. God had determined that Eli's descendants would no longer be the lineage for the priesthood, nor would they live very long due to the demoralization of the office.
God determined that the child Samuel would be the man to be a prophet and judge over Israel at a time when the Bible describes the nation in a state where "... everyone did what was right in his own eyes." (Judges 21:25)
According to the Jewish historian Josephus, Samuel would have been about 11 years old when he experienced the restless night we read about. During the evening, God called Samuel. What was Samuel's response? He thought Eli was calling him. I think it is very interesting that the society, even in the temple where Samuel was serving, had degraded to the point that they were not listening for God. This shows just how far down the rabbit hole even the religious folks of the time had gone. Hmmm....that seems vaguely familiar.
Samuel gets the calling 3 times before Eli realizes what is happening. Eli advises Samuel to engage the person calling him. Samuel does and at the ripe old age of 11, Samuel gets blessed by God with a glimpse into the future. Eli asks Samuel the next day what happened and after some hesitation, Samuel tells Eli the fate that is to become his family line. Eli's response? “He is the Lord; let Him do what seems good to Him.”
Our story today is about Samuel's calling by God. In a world where God was drawing away from his people, He calls a young man and shares a prophetic vision. The religious leaders of the day were basically " 'que sera, sera" about the whole situation instead of following the example of Abraham and Moses who would cry out to God in repentance when confronted with their sin. Eli was the religious leader of his time, yet he did not see the need to cry out to God in repentance and beg God to relent from the national punishment to come. Eli's attitude of ambivalence and apathy demonstrates how far away the nation had actually gone. ...what was right in his own eyes...
"Can you hear Me?..."
The Plea
It seems there are many similarities between our world and the world in which Samuel lived. God at times seems to be silent when in reality, He is calling out to some that the religious elites would not consider as having a calling, much less a prophetic vision. "Can you hear Me?"
There is so much noise in our world that even those who attempt to be continually listening for God's calling find it difficult to hear Him. That's why it is so important that we heed the words of Paul in making ourselves a living sacrifice every day (Romans 12:1-2 NASB/AMP/KJV). Jesus also provides a daily lesson by instructing us in taking up our cross to follow Him (The Gospel of Jesus according to the tax collector Matthew, chapter 16, verses 24-27 NASB/AMP/KJV). When we are focused on Jesus, the noise that can so easily distract us seems to fade and the voice of the One who is calling us can be heard loud and clear. "Can you hear Me?"
So how do you hear God? If you've never listened for Him, turn away from the noise that is in your life. That noise is what the Bible calls "sin". Listen for God as Holy Spirit, as He draws you to Himself! If you are 11 or 111, God wants to have a restorative relationship with you! He made the way for that to happen through Jesus dying on a cross. "Can you hear Me?"
Christian friend, every day of our lives provides the challenge for us to listen for God's calling. His guidance and direction are so imperative to the abundant life He has promised us if we will turn down the noise that so easily besets us and turn up Holy Spirit as He speaks and directs. "Can you hear Me?"
The Postlude
Today can be the day of salvation. Today can be the day of drawing closer to God. Today can be the day where you say, "Speak for Your servant is listening." Prepare to be given a vision that may not be very popular with those around you. Prepare to accept the challenge that may be presented to you. Prepare to love everyone that God brings to you. And be prepared to hear Him calling...
"Can you hear Me calling you?"
'Til Tuesday,
Loving HIM by loving You,
randy
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