Make The World Go Away

As a little boy I often heard Eddie Arnold sing “Make the World Go Away”.  Mom had the radio on when I was having breakfast, it was on in the car and on in the bus going to and from school.   That song was released in 1965 and became a top of the charts song so I heard it a lot.

As a kid that song resonated with me because I wanted the world to stop.  I just wanted all the pain and confusion to stop.  As a little boy of 6 or so, I might not have known why the Eddie wanted his world to stop.  I just wanted my world to STOP.

Today that song came to mind as I was praying for Linda and our entire family, as today marks a year since Nancy (mom Millsaps) went home to the Lord.  Today, I feel like little Bruce did 50 + years ago, when I sort of prayed, not to God because I didn’t know Him but to whoever, whatever could “Make the World to Go Away, and get it off my shoulders.”

As a man and as a Christ-follower I understand some things little Bruce didn’t.  Among many things:

·         I know that My God heard my prayer and was with me even though I didn’t know Him. (Luke 21:18)

·         I know He hurt for me and with me back then and now.  (Hebrews 4:15)

·         I know that God doesn’t generally remove the pain and suffering, but He does walk with us through the pain and suffering and He often carries us during the toughest times.  (Hebrews 13:5, In The Garden, not scripture yet it’s a hymn full of truth and again not scripture yet truthful, the poem “Footprints In The Sand”)

·         My prayers don’t have to be spoken all the time, because God hears the cry of the heart which sometimes doesn’t have words but He hears them just the same.  (Psalm 77:4)

·         Like the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 13:11 – 13.  I put away childish things, yet I only see in a mirror dimly, BUT, this I know: we have faith, hope and above all we have LOVE!

We have the love of our family and friends, and most of all we have the Love of God.  And He is “ok” with and understands old Bruce praying today, “Make the World Go Away, and get it off my/our shoulders.”

Call me childish, challenge my theology but I know this!  As I pulled that song up and played on repeat in the background praying for Linda, Jim, Bob, David, Jureen, Kadi and all the grandkids.  I knew this: My God understood and stepped into my family’s lives as their world keeps spinning.  He is walking with them, carrying them, comforting them and most of all He is THERE WITH THEM.  And though they might not be verbalizing it, at that deep heart level where they are wishing God would “Make The World Go Away” wishing mom was still here, wish they didn’t have to deal with this great lose, I KNOW THIS: God is there, all over that wish.

My prayers today might not be articulated well, my prayer may not be as scriptural as maybe they should be (after all, that song is not spiritual at all J)  but because my prayers are heartfelt, God hears them and will sort through them and answer them just the same. 

So, I am going to turn that song back on, let the tears flow and praise my God for being there for my bride and all of my family that are hurting today.  God might not “Make the World Go Away”.  But He sure will settle Himself around that wish in everyone’s heart and do what He does, BE THERE!

Make The World Go Away  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdWEbweX1rQ