Rattle and Hum

Eons ago, in a galaxy far, far away, there was an album titled "Rattle and Hum" by U2. Now, I must admit that I was never a huge fan, but I liked this album both then and now. It was a movie, too, but I never saw it. My faves from the album are "Helter Skelter," "When Love Comes To Town," "All I Want Is You," and, finally, "Love Rescue Me." This last song still continues to weave its way in and out of my memory, my soul. The melody moves your spirit in some ways like a beautiful but mournful dirge as the words penetrate the depths of your being.

Take a listen: Love Rescue Me

When I first heard this song, I thought Bono was singing about love, romantic love (eros), rescuing him, but now I think it is much deeper than that. I think the love that he wants to be rescued by is God's love for him (agape).

We live in a hurting world, and this hurt transcends culture and ideology. No one is unscathed by the circumstances of life. Everyone that you meet has a story. We need to take the time to stop and listen to the stories. People need to be rescued, and there is Someone who Saves, and when He Rescues it is once and for all, for eternity.

God is Love, and those that love Him are His ambassadors. Picture, if you will, people crying out for "Love (to) rescue me." God is listening and so should we. We need to be ready to respond both with tangible things (food, money, shelter, a listening ear) as well as with, "For God so loved (you) that He gave His only Son, that (if you) believe in Him (you) will not perish but have everlasting life."

My challenge to you (and I am writing this to myself as well), whenever you listen to this song, is not just to hear it as a nice, soulful song, but to push further and hear the cries a hurting world (your neighbor, your friend, your coworker) calling out. Will you be ready to respond?