Be More Heart
I have always loved music. I enjoy everything from pop to country to hip hop to random. There is a habit I have developed where I connect lots of life events, big and small, to songs. I will put a song on repeat and just listen to it over and over when I am going through something. Last year when a dear friend passed away, I must have listened to to "Reason to Sing" by All Sons and Daughters a thousand times. When God asked me to trust him in some big ways earlier this year, I listened to Ellie Holcomb's "Marvelous Light" and Austin Stone's "Jesus is Better" over and over again.
So, the song on repeat right now, with the wars raging around the world; people dying of ebola half-way around the world; children being sold into slavery right here in our backyard, is Needtobreathe's "Be More Heart and Less Attack." Partly because I reminded that in the face of pain we should be a light. And also, with all these things going on there is a lot of fighting and arguing on the interwebs. Everyone has an opinion about what is right or wrong about what different countries are doing, what the US is doing, etc.
These recent events have brought to light all over again our propensity as humans to be mean and hateful. I am watching the news where countries all over the world are bombing their neighbors and their own people. I am watching people thousands of miles away from those conflicts do the same thing, but rather than use bombs and rockets, they are using words and posts. When asked what the most important thing in life was Jesus answered: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) That is a far cry from what I see swirling online. I think you can disagree and state your opinions and beliefs without losing sight of loving God and people. It's possible. I have watched it happen again and again. But, it's harder. It takes thoughtfulness. It takes time. It takes the willingness to accept you might not have the "right" answer. But, it's oh so possible!
So, I give you some of the lyrics to one of my favorite songs right now. Tomorrow, may we all have more heart and do less attacking.
Be the light in the crack
Be the one that's been there on a camel's back
Slow to anger quick to laugh
Be more heart and less attack
Be the wheels not the track
Be the wanderer that's coming back
Leave the past right where it's at
Be more heart and less attack
The more you take the less you have
'Cause it's you in the mirror staring back
Quick to let go slow to react
Be more heart and less attack
Ever growing steadfast
And if need be the one that's in the gap
Be the never turning back
Twice the heart any man could have
Listen to the full song: