I was in San Francisco in the late 60s, the age of Aquarius, hippies, love children, flowers, peace and love. I went to concerts at Golden Gate Park. I was where the anti-war action was. Sadly, I was part of the military complex, a sailor in the Navy. I didn’t exactly fit in.
There is a lot today that reminds me of those days: a war poorly defined by the national leadership and weakly supported by the people, a great distrust of government, recognition that the “normal” life doesn’t offer lasting satisfaction. In the 60s the “revolutionaries” sought alternatives in drugs, sex and rock and roll. The thought they were trumpeting in a new age. They weren’t.
Those years also birthed the Jesus Movement which helped launch the charismatic movement. That kind of petered out as well. Perhaps there was too much focus on miracles and the gifts of the spirit and not enough consideration of His fruits.
Every generation seeks Peace and Love. They don’t always look in the right places. Isn’t it interesting that’s exactly what Jesus offers. He provides a lasting real peace, not just the absence of war, but the presence of God in daily life. His life was an example of real love, not just warm and fuzzy feelings but a satisfying life of sacrifice.
Isn’t it strange that the world generally considers Christians as unpeaceful and unloving. This isn’t a failure of Jesus. It’s a failure of his followers to be Jesus. We aren’t provided the clear answer so today the world looks to correctness without recognition of absolute right and wrong. It promotes justice without responsibility or sacrifice. It looks for individual freedom in subjugation to worldly authority. The world is looking for love (and peace) in all the wrong places.
We have what the world wants: peace and love. We have to really know that before we can share it. If we accept and experience this truth; the sharing of it will come automatically. The age that hippies were seeking will come, when Jesus is King.
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