New song to me-- "Bleed the Same" by Mandisa

As I neared the high school for the football game last night, a song on Family Life Radio came on that was new to me, "Bleed the Same" by Mandisa.  The lyrics caught my attention.  I looked it up after it was finished, sitting in my car.  It came out last May (2017).

I find it hard to believe that here we are in 2017 struggling so hard to love one another in this world.  I thought we had worked through those things when I was a kid back in the 70s, yet it seems things have remained the same or worsened. 

I believe that love continues to be the answer.  As we open up hospitable space to listen to one another, to get to know one another, to carry one another's burdens, we will recognize that we bleed the same. 

In last week's sermon, I spoke about us coming to the table together, literally.  I spoke about us making space for those who aren't there so that we can have the conversations.  We need to have the conversations with those who are already at the table too. 

In order to move ahead, love and compassion need to come to the forefront.  One of the things that got written into my sermon was this: "As we listen, we learn.  As we learn, we connect.  As we connect, we can more faithfully be the body of Christ God is calling us to be in showing love to others." ("Looking Ahead", October 8, 2017)

Mandisa's song touched me.  Here are the lyrics:

[Intro: Mandisa]
We all bleed the same
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided

[Verse 1: tobyMac]
Woke up today
Another headline
Another innocent life is taken
In the name of hatred
So hard to take (hey!)
And if we think that it's all good
Then we're mistaken
'Cause my heart is breaking
(Tell em' Dis)

[Pre-Chorus 1: tobyMac & Mandisa]
Are you left?
Are you right?
Pointing fingers, taking sides
When are we gonna realize?

[Chorus 1: Mandisa]
We all bleed the same
We're more beautiful when we come together
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided
If we're gonna fight
Let's fight for each other
If we're gonna shout
Let love be the cry
We all bleed the same
So tell me why, tell me why
We're divided

Here is the song:

Seeking to take action steps that stop the violence, the needless deaths, and despair.  May love and compassion for others pave the way to wholeness, healing, reconciliation, life, and hope.

Blessings on your journey,

Debra

P.S.  Here is a link where Air1 shares the story behind Mandisa's song.