As a parent I heard this phrase many times. It is an important stage in human development when a child recognizes this basic fact that life is not fair. With it comes the truth that there are “rules” or patterns of acceptable behavior and what is right and wrong and ultimately what is “justice”. All the world religions have over centuries crystalized this wisdom into what is called the Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.” In its most succinct form, “Love your neighbor.” Jesus takes it a step further, “Love your enemies.”
I have led many groups in this children’s song
“Love, Love, Love; that’s what’s it all about. God loves us, we love each other; mother, father, sister, brother. Everybody SHOUT, because that’s what it all about.”
I was in college when the Beatles offered this solution (have a listen),
Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.
Love, love, love.
There’s nothing you can do that can’t be done.
Nothing you can sing that can’t be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game.
It’s easy.
Nothing you can make that can’t be made.
No one you can save that can’t be saved.
Nothing you can do, but you can learn how to be you in time.
It’s easy
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
There’s nothing you can know that isn’t known.
Nothing you can see that isn’t shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be. It’s easy
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
Love is all you need.
Love is all you need.
Love is all you need.
Love is all you need.
Love is all you need...
But is it really easy?
Wait, there’s more. Equally true and worthy of lament: the rich get richer; the poor get poorer. Job, who as a “good guy,” grieves this sad reality when he asks God, “Why do the wicked live on, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?” (Job 21:7). Reality ultimately dawns on us all.
The ultimate question is “so what?” We can lament and limp along cynically through life or we can dedicate our lives to “be a part of the solution.” The prophet Micah focuses this essential question well,
“Oh man, what does God require? Do justice, love mercy, walk humbly” (Micah 6:8).
Will this solve all the problems of the world? Definitely not. But each small example of this way of living brings a ray of hope into an often dark and depressing world. If you doubt the impact you can have, remember the words of Margaret Mead,
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
It’s often a gradual process. Trees with the best wood grow slowly.
“Like the ancient prophets, we are dispatched back to the good work entrusted to us. It is the work of peace-making. It is the work of truth-telling. It is the work of justice-doing. It is good work, but it requires our resolve to stay it, even in the forces to the contrary that are sure to prevail for a season.” ~ Walter Brueggemann
My small action group is called “Good Trouble”, and we have partnered with several justice groups to challenge the current authoritarian direction in our country.
We perform “street theater” to dramatize and satirize undemocratic policies, write letters, make phone calls, and enjoy gathering with friends to say, “It’s not fair” and do “justice, love mercy, and walk humbly.”
To subscribe (free) to this column: Paddlepilgrim1.substack.com
For my books, films, podcast, speaking: paddle-pilgrim.com
Thank you for being a faithful witness.