Recently some friends and I named old hits that captured summer for us. Chicago’s “Saturday in the Park” was my choice—didn’t even have to think about it. In the summer they describe, every day is the Fourth of July, not one of parades and pompous patriotism, but rather what real community looks like. Folks of all ages and backgrounds pour into a city park to enjoy one another. “People dancing, people laughing/A man selling ice cream/Singing Italian songs.”
The coolest thing (for me, at least) is how a sun-bright vision bursts through the festivities. These folks are genuinely committed to love and justice and progress:
People talking, really smiling
A man playing guitar
And singing for us all
Will you help him change the world
Can you dig it? (Yes, I can)
I’ve been waiting such a long time for today
Slow motion riders fly the colors of the day
A bronze man still can tell stories his own way
Listen, children, all is not lost
All is not lost, oh no, no
As we move into the back half of summer, let’s give the song a fresh listen for the many spiritual practices subtly painted into its picture: dancing, laughing, singing, talking, smiling, waiting, telling stories our own way, listening, and above all else believing we can change the world. (And that’s just from the lyrics I quoted.) Sharing hopes and joys, struggles and uncertainties in faithful community is how we express our faith that all is not lost. Can you dig it? (Yes, I can!)
With much love and joy,
Pastor Tim