After the music fades, what do we do?\u00a0 Where do we go?\u00a0 How do we act?\u00a0 How do we now converse with one another?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Do we simply go on with life as normal?\u00a0 Do we forget the music even ever played?\u00a0 Do we deny the song\u2019s existence?\u00a0 … even though we were changed by the content of the song?\u00a0 What do we do?\u00a0 … after the music fades?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
I love the lyrics from Shaun Groves\u2019 popular song… <\/em>I never wanna be the same.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The key A-ha?\u00a0 \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave unchanged.\u00a0 I never wanna be the same.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n If we walk away from the week in Boston forgetting the murderous marathon… forgetting the fatalities… forgetting the horror… forgetting once again how a radical Islamic devotee desired to wreak havoc on American innocence…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If we walk away from the week in Boston forgetting not only the tragedy but the unity in the hours that followed… forgetting how so much of the piddly, weekly, stereotypical stories were put away for real news… forgetting how, as the President reminded us, we are Americans first… forgetting the common purpose… forgetting the common goal… forgetting the patriotism and shots heard \u2018round the nation… forgetting the spontaneous celebration when the second suspect was apprehended… forgetting our resounding, obvious, corporate strength…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If we walk away from the week in Boston and forget,<\/em> we will have failed to maximize the moment and learn from the tragedy.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It reminds me of one of my \u201cBible nerd moments.\u201d\u00a0 Yes, it\u2019s true; I am affectionately what some may call \u2014 or at least, I<\/em> call \u2014 a \u201cBible nerd.\u201d\u00a0 I recognize there\u2019s tons of wisdom in that book \u2014 and there\u2019s tons I don\u2019t even come close to comprehending.\u00a0 Hence, I am intentional in trying to understand.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If this lovable nerd was asked to sum up the Old Testament in only a few poignant words, I would simply suggest:\u00a0 \u201cDon\u2019t forget.\u00a0 Don\u2019t forget about me and what I\u2019ve done for you.\u201d\u00a0 <\/em>We should never forget the reality of God.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If we forget what happened last week \u2014 meaning we go right back to our passionate, partisan, and often stubborn and selfish ways \u2014 we go right back to judging our brothers (even though we like to say we don\u2019t)<\/em> \u2014 we go right back to chastising and blaming as opposed to listening and learning \u2014 we go right back to the divisive crud so many espouse, proclaim, or defiantly repost \u2014 we go right back to carelessly handling all words of truth\u00a0\u2014\u00a0then, I\u2019m afraid, we will have far too soon forgotten. \u00a0Yes, we will have forgotten.\u00a0 And dare I also conclude, radical, violent Islam will have once again won.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n More of Groves\u2019 song…<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I wanna sing.\u00a0 I wanna fly. Lord, I come To give You I never wanna be the same.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Yes, \u201cunchanged\u201d…\u00a0 that\u2019s the word.\u00a0 After last week in Boston, as a nation, I don\u2019t ‘wanna be’ unchanged.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Respectfully,<\/p>\n AR<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" After the music fades, what do we do?\u00a0 Where do we go?\u00a0 How do we act?\u00a0 How do we now converse with one another? Do we simply go on with life as normal?\u00a0 Do we forget the music even ever played?\u00a0 Do we deny the song\u2019s existence?\u00a0 … even though we were changed by … <\/p>\n
\nMuch more than just a melody.
\nPlease take me and break me;
\nRight now God, I don’t want to leave Unchanged;<\/em><\/p>\n
\nI wanna see from Your side of the sky.
\nI wanna love.\u00a0 I wanna stay,
\nWanna be close to You
\nLong after the music fades.<\/em><\/p>\n
\nMuch more than just a melody.
\nPlease take me and break me;
\nRight now God, I don’t want to leave Unchanged;<\/em><\/p>\n