The World’s Treatment

11/21/2018

When I get out of bed with a SIMH which wants to linger awhile, I begin to write this blog by looking up the history of the song. Thirty-eight different artists have recorded today’s song, beginning with a female duet in 1953, followed closely by Eddy Arnold, also in ’53, then Elvis in ’56, through to the latest rendition by Joey & Rory in 2014. In 2008, it was finally recorded by the man who wrote the tune—Chet Atkins. The lyrics were by a writer of some note: Boudleaux Bryant. The version in my head was the tenderly smooth voice of Jim Reeves. The song: “How’s the World Treating You?”

Also, recently done by Alison Krause and James Taylor, a masterful version, which may result in the best memories of it over all. But, a song 55 years old and still being recorded and sang by popular artists is legendary in this world which often treats its citizens poorly. 

Even though the song is about lost love, think of all the ways the world treats people. Many people suffer from things which should never happen to anybody. The bible refers to this as:

 Ecc 9:11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

Many of us who spend time watching sporting events, from Track & Field all the way to the football field, the basketball floor and the Nascar tracks, and we’ve all seen the best be denied the victory, the “also ran” come in first and the “underdog” who cannot win take home the prize. As it is in love, so also is it in many walks of life. The “world” isn’t always being fair. Blaming our losses or other misfortunes on something or someone should not be. We should account that Ecc.9:11 has come about yet again. Then, examine the entire situation which brought about the ingloriousness and see what could have been done differently, preparing ourselves for_one_more _try.

Boudleaux Bryant, with his wife Felice, wrote several big hits. He wrote “Love Hurts” (that’s sold a few mill!) and “All I Have to do is Dream” (a few more mill!) Some folks just turn how they feel into something with which millions of people identify. And so, “time and chance” happens to them, success comes their way and the world (which doesn’t treat people fairly) believes they are genius.

It is, however, our world. We can hide in a closet, crawl into a cave, become total recluses if we want. Or, we can “pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and start all over again!” (another songwriter’s words.) We who are aware of what this world is, who is in charge of it, and how the Creator of it is ultimately going to finish it, are not to be “overtaken” by it. The world doesn’t own you if you have a Savior. If and when you trust in Christ for eternal life, He owns you, He has bought you with the price the Creator demanded as ransom from the fallen one; the usurper who runs the time and chance system in this revolving door of humanity. 

From time to time, we have encounters with people who are brow-beaten so badly that there is a deadness in their eyes; a fearful look that says, “don’t talk to me, don’t make me look at you, don’t expect anything from me.” Recently, we’ve had to deal with a person who’s marital mate has that look. It suggests some bad treatment is going on in their lives, perhaps in their home or family life, perhaps even going back a generation or more. Not much of a way to do anything or try to “fix” it, even if we could prove it. But, we’ve all probably seen this in folks, especially if we’ve been in the public arena of daily contact with people. Time and chance, again? Yes, probably is. We realize the futility of thinking we can be of service to anyone other than the few who purposely come our way. 

Maybe we should just employ the wisdom of God in the manner He wants it employed today, and in the words of yet another song, “Make the world go away, and get it off my shoulders.” Or, with God’s wisdom and the open doors the Lord provides for us, let’s teach the truth about the Lord, eternal life, daily walking close by Him, and let the peace of God rule in our hearts. Amen?

Thanks for reading, the Elder