Tag Archives: cheer

Pink Floyd once sang about what I feel in my heart today in their song Comfortably Numb.  The 4th stanza’s lyrics express the following: “There is no pain you are receding; A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon; You are only coming through in waves; Your lips move, But I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  My issue is not with words.  Rather, my concern is with a lack of action.  After reading Proverbs 17 this morning, I am left to question, where has all the love gone in America?

According to verse 9, anyone who covers over an offense promotes love.  Unfortunately, what I watch on television or experience in life is another story.  Reality Television series ratings seem to skyrocket when cursing, drama and fights are portrayed.  While a friend is suppose to love at all times, Proverbs 17:17, back stabbing, gossip and trash talking appear to sell, making Hollywood millions of dollars each year.  Meanwhile, family value shows are becoming extinct or cast off like Marshall, Will and Holly into the Land of the Lost.

The only kind of love I regularly see is eros, the Greek word for sensual or sexual love.  Every time I go to buy groceries, magazines surround the checkout counter, filling your mind with unwholesome thoughts if you’re not careful.  Philia, the Greek word for brotherly love pops its head up from time to time.  People like Tim Tebow, Bethany Hamilton and communities like Ocean City, New Jersey keep this kind of love alive.  However, agape, translated unconditional love is even vanishing from churches.  Grudges, power hungry individuals and unforgiveness is stripping Christianity from its main attraction.

Instead of living in a land of love, crushed spirits continue to reign, Proverbs 17:22.  In the absence of a cheerful heart, the medicine people seek is missing, awol, absent without love.  If there ever was a time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:30, the time is now.  Who will stand in the gap of a unloving world and love the unlovable?  If someone doesn’t act quickly, we might all become comfortably numb.  Developing a Philippians 4:8-9 mindset is a good place to start.  The rest depends on how well people live out the Bible.  Choose agape love today!

by Jay Mankus