Dear Rose Park,
Earlier this week I took our golden-retriever Rudy for a walk. Sometimes I’ll use that 25-minutes for prayer. Other times I’ll use it simply to be quiet. Still other times I’ll listen to a book or podcast. This past walk, I found a podcast that peaked my interest. Its’ title is: A Life in Lyrics - Paul McCartney.
Each episode is an interview with Paul McCartney, the famous singer/songwriter of The Beatles. During the interview they talk about one song and the context and story behind that particular song. This particular episode revolved around the hit single from The White Album, “Let It Be.” McCartney describe this song in the context of the eventual break-up of the band. McCartney and John Lennon’s friendship was deteriorating. Their recording sessions were consistently being disturbed by a particular significant other. McCartney felt uneasy with the future of the band. While restlessly sleeping, McCartney’s mother (named Mary who passed away when Paul was 14) came to him in a dream. At this point, the opening lines of the song seemed to write themselves:
When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me
Speaking words of wisdom, let it be
When McCartney woke he felt deeply comforted by the presence of his mother. McCartney admitted though the song was not intended to be written for the church, the spiritual nature of the song cannot be denied. Similar to the title of the song, the phrase ‘let go & let God’ has sprung up here, there, and everywhere recently. The phrase has made it onto stationary, coffee cups, and undoubtedly church signs. For how cliché the phrase may sound, it’s true.
I have far too many conversations with far too many people who are experiencing far too much stress and anxiety about attempting to control every aspect of their lives. For one reason or another, they need this control because it offers them a sense of comfort and assurance. However, in this attempt to control everything we are following the footsteps of Adam and Eve in their attempt to be God. The song Let it Be undoubtedly has a variety of meanings for a wider variety of people. For me, the song reminds me of the universal truth that God is god and we are not. We cannot control everything. We cannot control how others act or speak. We cannot control how others perceive us. Sometimes, we just need to let it be.
Let It Be or Let Go & Let God is not an excuse to suppress an emotion or avoid a conflict, however it is the ability to recognize we do not need to allow an emotion to control us. We cannot control every circumstance, but we can control how we respond to our circumstances. In this way we can let it be. So, as you continue in your week seeking to love God and your neighbor as yourself, might you find comfort and peace in the assurance that God is god and we are not.
Grace & Peace….and thanks Paul,
