The news from Northern Ireland of a bonfire being lit then people’s names being placed into the fire caused me to stop and think.
My first thought, is placing the names of people onto the bonfire an act of vengeance? Are people saying ‘Rot in hell – that fiery furnace’. Is this condemnation that comes from hardened hearts? Carrying intense pain and hurt and never knowing what it means to forgive someone, or to be forgiven whilst considering love a personal intimate thing just between people you know and hold dear. Anyone outside of this circle can have their name thrown onto a bonfire!
My mind started to roam and consider other recent news events, going from the micro to the macro. World events; Trumpism, regional and local wars, collapsing bridges, floods and droughts and by contrast the birth of new family members, weddings, new jobs and success within exams.
These thoughts were interrupted by a new set of thoughts and I began to think of the ‘mega’ pop group Queen. I use the world ‘mega’ because of my age, don’t ask me to real off the current number one band, singer or synthesized single; some thing’s are not possible for this man!
So back to Queen.
Standing at the coffee bar in the youth club where I worked and putting Bohemian Rhapsody on the juke box I was stunned by listening to it. Played over and over again Bohemian Rhapsody has remained a favourite song. Queen have gone down in history contributing many other recognisable songs, some still played today:
‘We are the champions. We are the champions of the world’.
But back to my thought pattern: I was reminded of a Queen song, one that I find tremendously sad but one that has hope within its core.
I acknowledge the writers, singer, and producers and owners for the following words. Because without them I too would wonder about what we have done to this world that God created.
Just look at all those hungry mouths we have to feed
Take a look at all the suffering we breed
So many lonely faces scattered all around
Searching for what they need
Is this the world we created?
What did we do it for
Is this the world we invaded
Against the law
So it seems in the end
Is this what we’re all living for today
The world that we created
You know that everyday a helpless child is born
Who needs some loving care inside a happy home
Somewhere a wealthy man is sitting on his throne
Waiting for life to go by
Wooh, is this the world we created?
We made it all our own
Is this the world we devastated, right to the bone
If there’s a God in the sky looking down
What can he think of what we’ve done
To the world that he created
Brian May / Freddie Mercury, 1984
Is This The World We Created…?
© Sony / ATV Music Publishing LLC
I’m reminded that when God finished creating this earth, he had nothing more to add; the colours were just right, temperature set, enough food and water for every living creature, it was so good that God stopped creating; that’s our inheritance. Jesus said, ‘For God so loved the world…’ I say, ‘He still does’.
Bonfires are not the answer.
Image Credit: Veeterzy
