Day 4 - Blowin’ in the wind

I wouldn’t describe myself as a political activist, but I don’t need to tell you that we don’t enjoy world peace today. There is a lot to be worried and even frightened about in today’s world, and our own country is certainly not immune to unrest, with racism and violence being highlighted in the news on a near daily basis. Also, world leaders who are hell bent on power and control, and the masses who either follow like sheep, or are so downtrodden or indifferent that they seem unable or unwilling to stand up for what is right.

At times, if you are like me, you probably feel overwhelmed with it all and regularly feel helpless, unable to do anything to change things. What can one person do in such circumstances? Sadly, we have become, to a certain extent desensitised to the horrors, brutalities and destructions in this country and around the world.

“But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you”. Luke 6:27

Recently I was reminded of the song ‘Blowin’ in the wind’ and although not a hymn it is certainly a song with meaning. Written by Bob Dylan in 1960’s when he was 20 years old, and at a time when the Vietnam War was taking place, Dylan wrote it as a protest song. Dylan has been described as a ‘philosopher’ of music.

Its words are simplistic, but very poignant asking the question ‘How many….?’ How many roads, how many years, how many times? As topical today as when it was written.

It’s almost like no-one is listening, no-one cares, no-one is willing to make the decisions, to make the changes needed to stop it! No-one has been able to figure out the answers to these questions, the answers slipping out of our grasp. We haven’t learnt from past mistakes, continuing to make them over and over again.

The words of the song are almost like a prayer – a cry to God for help. Lord, help us.

How many roads must a man walk down

Before you call him a man?

How many seas must a white dove sail

Before she sleeps in the sand?

Yes, and how many times must the cannonballs fly

Before they're forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

Yes, and how many years must a mountain exist

Before it is washed to the sea?

And how many years can some people exist

Before they're allowed to be free?

Yes, and how many times can a man turn his head

And pretend that he just doesn't see?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind

Yes, and how many times must a man look up

Before he can see the sky?

And how many ears must one man have

Before he can hear people cry?

Yes, and how many deaths will it take 'til he knows

That too many people have died?

The answer, my friend, is blowin' in the wind

The answer is blowin' in the wind.

As we go into Lent, ask yourself what Jesus would be saying if he was here with us today? As God’s people, despite everything we now know have we learnt anything more than the people in Jesus’ time? And what are you going to do about it?

Kathy Shaw