Do you remember the last time there was a song “playing in your head”, and you were not sure how or when it got started? Well that is what I have been experiencing for the past couple of days.

The lines from the song that caused me to stop and focus on the words, and the why of me hearing the song in my head is as follows:

“What’s it all about, Alfie?

Is it just for the moment we live?

What’s it all about when you sort it out Alfie?

Are we meant to take more than we give or are we meant to be kind?”

This song had its beginning in 1966 and was written by the successful songwriting team of Burt Bacharach and Hal David. The song, Alfie and the movie for which it was written were both well liked too. The song was nominated for an Oscar in the category of Best Original Song in 1966. More than 43 people recorded it and my favorite version is by Dionne Warwick. Her voice was the one I heard in my head. Take a moment and look up her rendition even if you are familiar with it it’s worth another listen.

Burt Bacharach has mentioned that Alfie is his favorite composition over his 60-year career with 73 top hits. The song reportedly took he and his partner less than one week to write and still has a relevant message for us today.

Why was the song playing in my head? Music is a tremendously powerful form of communication. Take a moment and reflect on the music of your life. Are you a musician or a singer? In the shower does count here, as well as in your car with all of the windows closed. Do you hum or tap your toe? Have you ever had music move you, either in a very happy or incredibly sad time? Have you ever been transported by music or transformed by the words of a song? I have experienced all of the above. When I have a song or a thought for that matter, that comes to mind repeatedly, I generally take the time to ask myself why? I look for relevance to my life’s journey. There always seems to be a reason for the communication. I am continually seeking God and His messages to me, even through the words of a song.

Apparently this was one of those weeks when I needed to answer the question, what’s it all about? When we do our best, when we walk in our purpose, especially when we cannot see the entire picture, “Is it just for the moment we live?” “ Are we meant to take more than we give?”

Are you living for the moment only? Are you more focused on the minutia of day -to-day living or do you step back and take a look at the big picture? Do you see how you fit into that picture? Do you recognize that your very existence makes a difference? Do you know that you have a purpose?

When you see a glass containing liquid to its midpoint as half empty or half full?

I have come to see the glass as completely full of various forms of matter that is. The matter that is filling the glass is partially in a liquid state and partially in a gaseous state. The space many deem to be empty has mass and takes up volume and therefore is matter.  Air is certainly matter; air has mass, has takes up volume.

Each of us is here for a purpose designed with a purpose. When we are able to see beyond the moment and answer the question, what’s it all about? Then we are living beyond the moment. When we are able to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (which expresses love to our Creator) we are operating according to our design and purpose.

We are commanded several times to love our neighbor as ourselves. In case anyone is unclear about what constitutes a neighbor Jesus makes it very clear in Mathew 5:43 – 48 in the Message Version we find, “You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”

This week I was prompted to renew my mind! This past week I needed to have an answer to the question (What’s it all about?), which spoke directly to my situation and me. God used the song to prompt me to lean on His strength, go to His word and clearly answer the question for me in a way that I would understand. My prayer is that as you read my messages that you are prompted to lean on His strength, go to His word and clearly answer the questions you have about the call on your life to actively love your neighbor as yourself. As you acknowledge our Creator and His commands you are walking in purpose—and that Alfie, is what it’s all about! We are not meant to take more than we give. As we follow the example given to us by our heavenly Father and fulfill the plan of our design we give love, even to our enemies, as we give to ourselves.

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself!”