There was a song written by Cats Steven in 1971 called “Peace Train.” Here is one of the verses. “Now I’ve been crying lately thinkin’ about the world as it is. Why must we go on hating? Why can’t we live in bliss? ‘Cause out on the edge of darkness there rides a peace train. Oh, peace train take this country. Come take me home again.”
There was so much turmoil back in the 70’s. We had protests against the Vietnam War and Civil Rights protests and all sorts of what we call injustices. Even protests for animal rights. After World War I and II and then the Korean War, people did not want another war, and so there were the draft dodgers who refused to fight in the Vietnam War. We saw the creation of the Hippie Movement and Flower Power and Love- Ins. Songwriters wrote song after song about the times. Everyone just wanted peace! Even though the war ended and the Hippie’s became today’s business men and women and educators, peace really never came. Civil Rights legislation was passed and yet, we still don’t have peace. America became the most powerful and prosperous nation in the world and yet, we still did not have peace. Other wars began and terrorists attacked us, and we came together, only to come apart again. Peace really never came. Today we are more divided than ever. Lawlessness is greater than ever. Fear and hopelessness is the food of the day. Why no peace? Cat Stevens wrote “Now I’ve been crying lately thinkin’ about the world as it is. Why must we go on hating? Why can’t we live in bliss?” Over 50 years later and we still can say the same words. We are on the edge of darkness, in fact we are in the darkness, school shootings, bullying, canceling, and so much more. We did not have these things 50 years ago, and now we can add them to the list of wars and poverty and every kind of protest. Our streets are a war zone. Death by drugs and suicide out weigh what we saw even 50 years ago. Peace does not even seem to be in our vocabulary. There is no civility toward each other, you do not even say I’m right, or I say no I’m right, because we tweet it, or text it, because we no longer speak to each other. We can not come together by being apart physically through a tweet or a text. It is like mankind has divorced itself from itself. Love and compassion must be felt on a physical level. We are human beings not robots. We must stop going further and further from each other. We must get on that train, the peace train, and it must start with the youth. This is a call to every young person. You must start a new revolution, one that will bring everyone together, no matter the politics, the beliefs, the color of skin, no matter the gender. This is the safety zone for teens and young adults. Start blogging right here and let’s get aboard the peace train and ride it around this country bringing hope and love and true concern for everyone, because we all need help, we all live on this planet. it’s not about going green or preference or having the right words or not, it’s about loving our fellow human being. This is what will save the planet. God is love and we have turned our backs on God. He is not an organized religion. His Words have been with man from the beginning of time, and it’s time we return to His truths of love and compassion, His right and wrong, for God is a God of peace and we will only have peace in Him. The apostle Paul tells the people this in 2 Corinthians 13:11, “Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice, mend your ways, be comforted, be like-minded, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” Paul was not only an example for the people, but he spoke God’s Words. He also told the people in Philippians 4:5-9 this, “Let everyone see that you are gentle and kind. The Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything, but pray and ask God for everything you need, always giving thanks for what you have. And because you belong to Christ Jesus, God’s peace will stand guard over all your thoughts and feelings. His peace can do this far better than our human minds. Brothers and sisters, continue to think about what is good and worthy of praise. Think about what is true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. And do what you learned and received from me—what I told you and what you saw me do. And the God who gives peace will be with you.”
Jesus tells His disciples this in John 14:27, “I leave you peace. It is My own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.”
We can do this if we really want peace, but it has to start with you. Let go of I’m right and you’re wrong or I’m good and and you’re bad, or if you don’t look like me and talk like me then you’re canceled. And most of all put down the phones and let’s come together like humans and not animals and speak to one another as brothers and sisters.
All aboard for the peace train!