First Baptist Church of Herndon

People

Linda Soller | May 27, 2019

“People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.” Could you hear Barbra Streisand’s voice as you read that line? She sang it in the movie Funny Girl back in 1968. Ancient history!  It became her signature song. Barbra played the awkward Fannie Brice, who made people laugh. She finds fame and fortune, but not happiness. People gave her fame, but not love. Whoa, that message rings true today. Those who are different get our attention, but not always our love. 

Crimes by people against people get a great deal of attention. Obscure, troubled individuals are suddenly famous. Sometimes they don’t even live to experience their infamy. There’s a new trend around the world not to give out the names of bombers, shooters, arsonists who prey on the innocents for what they see as 30 seconds of fame. It’s really infamy, because if they truly wanted to change the world they would work with other people to make it happen. Take away the notoriety and perhaps the crime will lose its value. One can only hope.

Children know what it is to need people. They have no choice and yet too often they are starving, abused, and homeless. They keep on needing people until our world teaches them hate and anger. Just like in the song we grown-ups are like children. We want and need people to love us, but our pride won’t let us admit it. So, children and grown-ups can be seen acting out. Men and women acting out against others because it makes them feel powerful, important, and right. One day they may find they are at the mercy of people for their care. They may wish they had given up some of that power in the past, for some love in their present.

So many seeking their 30 seconds of fame, but what do they have when the 30 seconds is gone?  We must take a deep breath and learn to love one another. We must learn to build without destroying. We must feel the power in giving, not in taking. 

“People, people who need people, are the luckiest people in the world.”

This week love the people in your life! :o) Linda

P.S.  Songwriters: Carmine Appice / Mark Stein / Tim Bogert / Vincent Martell