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Devotional, Special Devotion

When the Music’s Over: An Earth Day Devotion

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Read Psalm 24

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“I brought you into a fertile land to eat its fruit and rich produce. But you came and defiled my land and made my inheritance detestable.” (Jeremiah 2:7, NLT)

Image: AI-generated by ChatGPT (OpenAI) and customized by the author in Photoshop. Used with the devotional “When the Music’s Over: An Earth Day Devotion” at Life-Giving Water Devotions.

Jim Morrison and The Doors have been a major artistic influence in my life. Jim’s introspective and often profound lyrics, his poetic brilliance, and his uncompromising willingness to confront death and darkness have deeply resonated with me. The Doors’ mind-bending and unique blend of music has left an indelible mark on my artistic sensibilities. Few artists have had a greater influence on me.

The title “When the Music’s Over” comes from The Doors’ powerful song that delivers an environmental message far ahead of its time. This phrase carries a sense of urgency and finality, much like the environmental crisis we face today. It prompts us to ask: What will be left when the music of nature falls silent?

In the song, Morrison’s haunting lyrics cry out, “What have they done to the Earth? What have they done to our fair sister?” This lament for our planet’s destruction echoes the sentiments expressed in Jeremiah 2:7, where God rebukes humanity for defiling the land He provided.

The Doors’ environmental awareness in 1967 was revolutionary, predating much of the mainstream environmental movement. Their call to action, “We want the world and we want it… Now!” resonates with the urgency we feel today about climate change and environmental degradation.

Psalm 24 provides a biblical foundation for this environmental concern. It begins by declaring, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” This fundamental truth reminds us that we are not owners of this planet, but stewards. God has entrusted us with the care of His creation, much like He placed Adam in the Garden of Eden to “work it and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15).

The Psalm goes on to ask, “Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?” The answer describes those with “clean hands and a pure heart.” In the context of environmental stewardship, we might ask ourselves: Are our hands clean in our treatment of God’s creation? Are our hearts pure in our motivations and actions towards the environment?

Jim Morrison’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of environmental destruction: “Ravaged and plundered and ripped her and bit her, Stuck her with knives in the side of the dawn, And tied her with fences and dragged her down.” This poetic description of Earth’s mistreatment stands in stark contrast to the reverence for creation expressed in Psalm 24.

The Psalm concludes with a powerful image of the “King of glory” entering. This reminds us that ultimately, God is in control and will bring about restoration. However, this doesn’t absolve us of our responsibility. Just as The Doors called for immediate action, we too are called to be active participants in caring for God’s creation.

As we reflect on Psalm 24, Jeremiah 2:7, and the prophetic environmental message of “When the Music’s Over,” we’re challenged to examine our role as stewards of God’s creation. Are we treating the Earth as something that belongs to us to exploit, or are we honoring it as God’s possession? Are we standing idly by as our “fair sister” is ravaged, or are we answering the call to action?

The environmental crisis we face today requires the same urgency and passion that Jim Morrison expressed over 50 years ago. It demands that we, as God’s people, live up to the standard set in Psalm 24 – with clean hands and pure hearts, actively working to protect and restore God’s creation.

Let us heed both the biblical mandate and the rock star’s lament. When it comes to caring for our planet, we must act before the music’s over – it’s time for us to join the song of creation care.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
God owns the Earth; we’re called to be its caretakers, not its exploiters.

PRAYER
Lord, give us clean hands and pure hearts to care for Your creation as faithful stewards. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.

“What have they done to the Earth? What have they done to our fair sister?”
From The Doors – “When the Music’s Over” (Official Audio). A haunting, poetic call to environmental awareness—decades before its time.
Devotional

When Summer’s Gone

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Read James 4:13-15

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom” (Psalm 90:12 NLT).

Image created by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of AI developed by Microsoft.

As many of you know, I have a deep affinity for The Doors and the introspective, reflective lyrics of Jim Morrison. One song that particularly resonates with me is “Summer’s Almost Gone” from their 1968 album Waiting for the Sun. This song, written by Morrison, captures the fleeting nature of time and the inevitable end of joyful periods in our lives.

“Summer’s Almost Gone” was one of the earliest songs written by Morrison, dating back to the band’s original demo tape from 1965. The song’s bluesy rhythm and evocative lyrics reflect on the end of summer, a metaphor for the end of a happy and carefree time. The lyrics ask, “When summer’s gone, where will we be?” This question encapsulates the uncertainty and melancholy that often accompany the passage of time and change.

The song’s imagery is vivid and poignant. Lines like “Morning found us calmly unaware” and “Noon burned gold into our hair” evoke a sense of innocence and beauty, while “At night, we swam the laughing sea” captures the joy and freedom of summer nights. These moments of carefree joy are contrasted with the looming future, symbolized by the coming winter, which represents challenges and uncertainties.

This theme of the fleeting nature of time and the inevitability of change is also reflected in Scripture. James 4:13-15 reminds us of the uncertainty of life and the importance of trusting in God’s will. It says, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'”

Psalm 90:12 further emphasizes the importance of recognizing the shortness of life: “Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.” This verse encourages us to live wisely and make the most of our time.

Without the hope of Christ, we might find ourselves lost, asking, “Where will we be when the summer’s gone?” However, in Christ, we have the assurance of where we’ll be when our time on earth ends: with our Lord and Savior. This hope isn’t about escaping this world for some distant, otherworldly heaven. Rather, it’s about the promise of a renewed and restored creation.

The book of Revelation teaches us that eternity will be heaven on a recreated earth. This concept aligns with the common Christian understanding that God’s ultimate plan isn’t to whisk us away from this world, but to bring heaven down to a renewed earth. In Revelation 21:1-3, John writes, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth… I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God… And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them.'”

This vision of the future gives us hope not just for our individual destinies, but for the restoration and redemption of all creation. It challenges us to see our current lives and actions in light of this coming reality. How can we live now in a way that anticipates and participates in God’s work of renewal?

Practically speaking, this perspective can transform how we approach our daily lives. Knowing that this earth will be renewed, not discarded, should motivate us to care for our environment and natural resources. The vision of the New Jerusalem coming down to earth emphasizes the importance of human relationships and community. We can invest in building strong, loving communities now as a foretaste of the eternal community to come. If God’s plan is to restore all things, we should be actively working towards justice and equality in our current world. Our daily work, when done to God’s glory, can be seen as participating in God’s ongoing work of creation and renewal. Knowing that God’s plan includes the restoration of all good things should free us to fully embrace the joys of this life, even as we look forward to their perfection in the life to come.

As we reflect on the passing of time and the changes in our lives, let’s hold onto the hope of Christ. This hope isn’t just about a future state; it’s a transformative power that can shape how we live right now. When we ask, “Where will we be when the summer’s gone?” we can answer with confidence: we’ll be exactly where God intends us to be, participating in the renewal of all things.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In Christ, we have the assurance of a renewed creation, inspiring us to live with purpose, joy, and hope in the present.

PRAYER
Lord, help us to live in light of your promise of renewal. May we be agents of your love and restoration in this world, even as we look forward to the perfection of the world to come. Amen.

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.

Devotional

People Are Strange

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Read Leviticus 19:33-34

ALSO IN SCRIPTURE
“So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.” (Ephesians 2:19 NLT)

Image created by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of AI developed by Microsoft.

The Doors have long been one of my favorite bands and a major artistic influence. Jim Morrison’s profound and provocative lyrics, combined with the band’s eclectic and transcendent sound, explored themes that were often ahead of their time. Jim himself was sometimes downright prophetic, once predicting that future generations would combine different musical styles in innovative ways. In a 1969 interview, he specifically mentioned the fusion of “black” music and country western, a prediction that has been realized in various forms of contemporary music.[i] Taylor Swift, for instance, has successfully blended elements of country, pop, and other genres throughout her career, exemplifying the kind of musical evolution Morrison foresaw. He also suggested a third element might be “electronics,” which has indeed become a dominant force in modern music production across numerous genres.

One of their most iconic songs, “People Are Strange,” captures the essence of alienation and isolation that many of us experience at times. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of feeling like an outsider:

“People are strange when you’re a stranger,
Faces look ugly when you’re alone.
Women seem wicked when you’re unwanted,
Streets are uneven when you’re down.”

These words resonate with the human experience of feeling disconnected and out of place in society. We’ve all had moments where the world seems hostile, faces appear unfriendly, and we feel unwanted or misunderstood.

However, Scripture offers us a powerful counterpoint to this cynicism and isolation. In Leviticus 19:33-34 (NLT), we read:

“Do not take advantage of foreigners who live among you in your land. Treat them like native-born Israelites, and love them as you love yourself. Remember that you were once foreigners living in the land of Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”

This passage reminds us that God calls us to embrace those who might feel like strangers or outsiders. We are instructed to treat them as if they were native-born, with love and respect. This command is rooted in the Israelites’ own experience as foreigners in Egypt, encouraging empathy and compassion.

Furthermore, Ephesians 2:19 extends this concept into the New Testament, declaring that in Christ, we are no longer strangers and foreigners but citizens and family members in God’s household. This verse offers a profound shift in perspective – from alienation to inclusion, from isolation to belonging.

While “People Are Strange” captures the pain of feeling like an outsider, Scripture guides us towards a different reality. In God’s kingdom, there are no strangers. We are all welcomed, loved, and included as valuable members of God’s family. This truth transforms our outlook, enabling us to see others not as strange or threatening, but as fellow citizens in God’s household.

As followers of Christ, we are called to be agents of this inclusive love. We should actively seek out those who feel like outsiders and welcome them into our communities. By doing so, we reflect God’s heart and help others experience the belonging and acceptance that we have found in God.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY
In God’s family, there are no strangers – only siblings waiting to be embraced.

PRAYER
Loving God, thank you for welcoming us into your family. Help us to see others through your eyes of love and inclusion. Give us the courage to reach out to those who feel like strangers, showing them the belonging and acceptance found in your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

[i] Jim Morrison, “The Future of Music,” YouTube video, 1:23, posted by ” Michael Gosselin,” May 4, 2006, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS3dIyHpAgc. (Accessed June 20, 2024).       

Devotion written by Rev. Todd R. Lattig with the assistance of Perplexity AI.