HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S BEEN 50 YEARS TODAY
NOT ONLY DOES TODAY MARK 50 YEARS, BUT IT WAS NOT ORIGINALLY PUBLICIZED, AND WOUND UP ATTEMPTING TO BE BROKEN UP BY THE POLICE. And if we knew then what we know now, just how different would things have gone that day?
I am speaking, of course, of January 30, 1969, the day John, Paul, George, and Ringo held their last public performance. The impromptu concert was held on the roof of Apple Records' building on Savile Row. Those present were encountering arguably the greatest band of all time for what was the last time. Ever.
The police came to break things up, but no arrests were made during the 42 minute concert. Ringo Starr was quoted as saying, "It was a memorable day for me - we were doin' what we did best - making music. But I am still disappointed the policemen didn't drag me off me drums!"
What about January 30, 2019? What about pretty much any day of our lives? How would we change things if we knew we were going to be encountering greatness or be a part of something historical?
James gives us some wisdom about these matters in James 4:13ff, 'Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a town and spend a year there, doing business and making money.” Yet you do not even know what tomorrow will bring.'
Whether the last time you will see The Beatles or something else entirely, we more than likely will not know until we have the gift of hindsight how truly monumental something we encounter today might be, so let's make sure to not overlook anything.
After all, we teach the children to sing, "This is the day that the Lord has made." Let us live as though it's not a children's song but a way of life. You may not get the chance to, "Get Back."
Grace and Peace, Lamar
P.S. Or maybe sometimes the wise move is simply to, "Let it Be."