There are times in our life that seem very familiar. Many misuse the term déjà vu as they express this sense. (Déjà vu is the illusion of experiencing something again while going through it for the first time.) We are talking about something occurring as it has in the past. You've probably heard or perhaps even said the quote "History repeats itself...". This idea is a line taken from the sentiment "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it" by George Santayana, the Spanish-American philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist. Sometimes when we find ourselves in the same situation it is of our own doing as Santayana intimates, however, many times we find ourselves in circumstances beyond our control...again.
The Mississippi-born, other Memphis "King" icon, B.B. King had a recording career that went from 1949-2008. He had 32 charting singles on the Billboard Hot 100 from 1964 to 1989. He had three #1 songs from 1958 to 1974 and he scored ten top-ten singles on the R&B chart. His collaborations with other artists are a who's who of popular music staples. U2(Tuesday's Musical Notes - U2), (1989's "When Love Comes To Town"), Eric Clapton (Tuesday's Musical Notes - Eric Clapton), (2000's Riding With The King), and Brad Paisley (Tuesday's Musical Notes - Brad Paisley) (2008's "Let The Good Times Roll") are just a sample of the artists whose collaborations with B.B. King have become fan favorites.
Coming to us from King's 1979 Take It Home album is the song "Same Old Story (Same Old Song)". Those who have ever heard of B.B. King understand well that he is known for the Blues. With that in mind, this song seems somewhat at odds with itself. The song's lyrics ooze the blues, all the while giving it a beat that you could dance to Mr. Clark! It sings of sadness, yet sounds so happy! Lyrically, the song bemuses life and speaks to the seeming repetitive nature that we bemused about as we started today...history repeating itself.
The songwriters for "Same Old Story (Same Old Song)" are legendary lyricists Will Jennings and Joe Sample. They worked on 2 1/2 albums with B.B. King from 1977 to the mid-80s. Jennings has written music for a similar who's who of popular artists of the 70s and 80s. Sample was the keyboard player for another B.B. King-associated group, The Crusaders. Together Jennings' and Sample's efforts resulted in a song that talked about the extremes of life and how those extremes seem to operate in conjunction with each other to make the adventure that is life. Simply put, that life is seemingly in a wash, rinse, and repeat mode. That's what makes this such a great song. Everyone experiences this rollercoaster/merry-go-round in their lives at one point or another and Same Old Story (Same Old Song) becomes instantly relatable. After all, history does repeat itself...
Paul and Barnabas had some success and then trouble came when they were preaching in Pisidian Antioch. The turmoil became so bad, that they were run out of town. Having shaken the dust from their shoes, they traveled on to Iconium (Konya, Turkey) where, well... Same Old Story...wash, rinse, repeat. Paul and Barnabas go to the synagogue in Iconium and begin preaching Jesus to the Jewish population. Some believed some did not. The missionaries then turned their evangelistic focus to the Gentiles (anyone not of Jewish ancestry) of the region and began preaching to them. Some believed others did not. While this time the overall response and circumstances are a little different from Pisidian Antioch the residents of the city's reactions to Paul and Barnabas immediately become a template for the remainder of Paul's missionary journeys. The Jewish folks who did not believe began to stir up not only other Jews but Gentile non-believers against Paul and Barnabas. The intrepid missionaries held their ground for what the Bible only describes as "a long time". The apostles were sustained in their efforts and continually encouraged and energized by The Holy Spirit as they found themselves in the midst of performing "signs and wonders". The furor against Paul and Barnabas however, eventually divided the city, some for, some against. Same Old Story, Same Old Song.
After the rulers of both Jews and Gentiles got involved, Paul and Barnabas were in danger of being stoned for preaching Jesus. When they became aware of the threat, they fled Iconium and well you know...wash, rinse, repeat. This time the region of Lyconia, Lystra, and Derbe were the targets for the missionaries.
Going forward please realize that this cycle of preach, seeing some accept, seeing some reject, and then seeing many become angry and dangerous happens everywhere Paul and his band of missionaries go. Just remember this in the days ahead as we hit the highlights of the events that happen as they travel through the remainder of this trip as well as the other 3 evangelistic efforts the Bible includes. Just know that this pattern of preaching/acceptance, preaching/unrest, and preaching/threats plays out in every region and town in which the apostles attempt to minister.
Does this sound like something that happens when you become bold in your faith? If so, don't be discouraged. See by today's focus Scripture that you too can be strengthened by The Holy Spirit and encouraged by the works that God has called you to do that are successful. Paul and Barnabas fled for their lives a multitude of times. While you may not immediately face such persecution, realize that there are folks out in the world today experiencing similar circumstances. Even with their lives threatened they are also seeing life change for those who believe. This is the portion of that same old story that we need to revel. Even in the midst of negativity and persecution, there will be folks who positively respond to God's call to restoration. Have faith! Trust God! Allow The Holy Spirit to speak and use you to do signs and wonders and tell the greatest story ever told. Then wash, rinse, repeat...
'Til Tuesday,
Loving Him By Loving You,
randy
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