Insights Into The Covid-19 Church Era – Part VIII
At a Jesus Rally in Mount Union, Pennsylvania in the s’70’s, I heard Keith Green prophetically sing his epic song Asleep In The Light before a silent, stunned audience. Upon completion a woman screamed, “Listen to him”. She wanted the audience to take his message seriously. The lyrics are:
Do you see? Do you see? All the people sinking down?
Don’t you care? Don’t you care? Are you gonna let them drown?
How can you be so numb? Not to care if they come.
You close your eyes, and pretend the job is done.
“Oh, bless me Lord! Bless me, Lord!” You know, its all I eve hear!
No one aches, no one hurts, not one even sheds one tear
But, he cries, He weeps, He bleeds, And he cares or your needs.
And you just lay back and keep soaking it in.
Oh, can’t you see such sin?
Cause he brings people to your door, and you turn them away
As you smile and say, “God bless you! Be at Peace!” And all heaven just weeps
‘Cause Jesus came to your door, and you left him out on the streets.
Open up! Open up! And give yourself away.
You see the need. You hear the cries, so how can you delay?
God is calling, and you are the one but like Johan, you run.
He told you to speak, but you keep holding it in.
Oh, can’t you see such sin?
The world is sleeping in the dark that the Church just can’t fight
‘Cause it’s asleep in the light!
How can you be so dead? When you have been so well fed?
Jesus rose from the grave, And you! You can’t even get out of bed!
Oh, Jesus rose rom the dead! Come on, get out of your bed!
How can you be so numb? Not to care if they come?
You close your eyes, and pretend the job is done!
You close your eyes, and pretend the job is done!
Don’t close your eyes, don’t pretend the job is done!
Come away! Come Away! Come away with me my love!
Come away from this mess. Come away with me my love
Come away, Come away with me my love!
Songwriters: Keith Gordon Green
Asleep In The Light lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group
The message is as relevant five decades later. In all the protests after George Floyd’ death I hear the cry, “Do you see? Do you see? All the people sinking down? Don’t you care? Don’t you care? Are you gonna let them drown? How can you be so numb? Not to care if they come? Don’t close your eyes, don’t pretend the job is done.” After decades and centuries of racial bias and prejudice, we need to heed the words sung by Keith Green.
“Open up! Open up! And give yourself away. You see the need. You hear the cries, so how can you delay?” Many responded with empathy to those who were hurting and angry. In order for the Covid-19 church to not be asleep in the light, it has to arise and show empathy, compassion, none judgment, while advocating justice for all. My next blog will discuss how that is to be done.