Daily Word of Grace # 184 (November 27, 2020)
The final song of the epic 1973 double rock opera album Quadrophenia by The Who is a prayer sung from the protagonist Jimmy—a disillusioned young man who feels disconnected from his parents, misunderstood by his psychiatrist, and overlooked by people all day long in his job as a bell boy. Even his girlfriend has walked away, with his best friend no less. Jimmy finally goes out to a rock in the sea near Brighton Beach, and calls out, “Only love can bring the rain that makes you yearn to the sky. Only love can bring the rain that falls like tears from on high. Love, reign o’er me, rain on me, rain on me…On the dry and dusty road the nights we spend apart alone I need to get back home to cool, cool rain. I can’t sleep and I lay and I think the night is hot and black as ink. Oh God, I need a drink of cool, cool rain. Love, reign o’er me, rain on me, on me, on me.” Of course Jimmy is neither alone in being disconnected, misunderstood, overlooked nor alone in experiencing the heartbreak of having a loved one walk away. Jesus understands and empathizes with all of that. The night before his suffering and death all his disciples walked away. Throughout his earthly ministry he was overlooked and misunderstood. And even on the cross he felt disconnected from God. And yet, out of love Jesus died for all of us, and the Risen Jesus remains the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16) whose love reigns o’er the universe, and whose love reigns o’er you. Today may you experience anew the “cool, cool rain” of the love of God.
Love and Prayers,
Dave