But often, in the world's most crowded streets,But often, in the din of strife,There rises an unspeakable desireAfter the knowledge of our buried life;A thirst to spend our fire and restless forceIn tracking out our true, original course;A longing to inquireInto the mystery of this heart which beatsSo wild, so deep in us — to knowWhence our lives come and where they go.— Matthew Arnold, The Buried Life
Barry Casey’s essay evoked many images and feelings about individuality in our church and life in the 60’s and 70’s.Sister Ellen had much to say about individuality and the fact that each of us is accountable to God for who we are and why. I also agree with what Crosby, Stills, Nash &Young sang about in the 70’s.: Teach Your Children Lyrics by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, 1970 You who are on the road Must have a code that you can live by And so become yourself Because the past is just a good bye.
Teach your children well, Their father’s hell did slowly go by, And feed them on your dreams…
You can’t become your parents because their life was different from yours and once the past is gone it’s gone for good. So, be true to yourself and “become yourself”. The genius of this song is in the first verse, “and so become yourself, because the past is just a good bye”.Embrace your individuality. Individuality in the context of this song means a set of behavioral or personal values and
characteristics by which an individual is recognizable. Love what you love without negative judgment. This song is a call for parents and children to try to understand that each generation goes through it’s own kind of test and individual challenge, a type of “hell” (growing pains/life issues, gender parity in our church, discrimination in the workplace etc.), and that each should respect that and learn from each other.
"The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."
Jn 10:10
So many , even in churches are getting gypped out of life.
From life stealing associates…
“Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits.” 1 Cor 15:33
I observe this in churches…
"Everyday they pass me by,
I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care,
Headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain,
Living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries,
Only Jesus hears."
“People Need the Lord” by Steve Green
In SDA churches they usually only can say…“Happy Sabbath”
Sam, CSN and Y sang so much that rang true, but as you point out, Teach Your Children became a kind of light around our feet in those days. Thanks for the reminder.