What’s So Funny, ’bout Peace, Love & Understanding

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So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.  Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.  Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?  If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”  Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Genesis 4:3-8 NASB

When I have been mad at God, invariably I later discover that I lacked understanding or that I should have really been mad at myself. Are you with me? This is a human condition. It’s the evolution of the sin of Adam (remember the blame game? “the woman You gave me, made me sin” paraphrased.)

Cain and Able brought offerings (gifts) to God. How wonderful! Can you imagine the feeling of a son bringing a gift to a Father? Both anticipating the discussion and mutual appreciation. But, something went woefully wrong. When God examined the offerings, He preferred and accepted Able’s, but had no regard for Cain and his offering. We really don’t know why. We can speculate- Able’s offering forecast the sacrificial system, his heart was right, he brought the firstlings, etc. That’s not the point I want to make. God had a preference. He expressed it. Cain was downcast and couldn’t / didn’t recover and sin overtook him. Sound familiar? He was unable to reconcile his thinking and emotions to God’s preference and became a murderer. A tragic lesson for all of us. Seek first to understand is a powerful motto. The song “What’s of Funny ’bout Peace, Love and Understanding” is ringing in my mind.

Have I sought to understand what God truly wants? Am I completely willing to mold my thoughts, feelings and actions to the offering He desires? Or, is sin about to overtake me at the expense of my brother?

God, as this day begins- I am opening myself up to You and Your ways. Move the molecules in my brain, the feelings in my heart to mirror Your’s. Save our nation one person at a time. Confound those who would do harm to another. Save people. Then cleanse, heal, and redirect their downcast spirit. You alone are our hope! You alone are my hope!

FROM ELVIS COSTELLO and THE IMPOSTERS

As I walk through this wicked world

Searchin’ for light in the darkness of insanity.

I ask myself Is all hope lost?

Is there only pain and hatred, and misery?

And each time I feel like this inside,

There’s one thing I wanna know:

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?

And as I walked on Through troubled times

My spirit gets so downhearted sometimes

So where are the strong

And who are the trusted?

And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony.

‘Cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?

So where are the strong? And who are the trusted?

And where is the harmony? Sweet harmony.

‘Cause each time I feel it slippin’ away, just makes me wanna cry.

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding? Ohhhh

What’s so funny ’bout peace love & understanding?

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