I'll Be There

As the news of Michael Jackson's death inundates us all, we have occasion to hear an early song from his career that propelled the Jackson Five and Michael to stardom. It's the words that have special meaning in a larger sense. They seem to be a double entendre in their scope. "You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back, Where there is love, I'll be there", now, was this a hymn that Barry Gordy, Willie Hutch, Hal Davis and Bob West had in mind as they composed this song or was it a simple love song? Is not God's word... a simple love song? "I'll reach out my hand to you, I'll have faith in all you do... Just call my name and I'll be there" seems to cut to the chase in terms of God's message to us all. So what does a love song have to do with God's message to mankind. Just the simple phrase, "I'll be there", speaks to the very essence of religion. The existence of God, who will be there for all time, available, "Just call my Name, I'll be there!!"
The song goes on to say, "Let me fill your heart with joy and laughter, Togetherness, well that's all I'm after, Whenever you need me, I'll be there. I'll be there to protect you, with an unselfish love that respects you. Just call my name and I'll be there.", reminding us all of the promises God has made to us. He is there for us. God is Love. God is saying through the words of this song, heard by millions, "You and I must make a pact, we must bring salvation back".
Perhaps we all could us a little joy and laughter in this uncertain times. Perhaps we should call upon God. God will indeed be there with "a love that's strong, I'll be your strength, I'll keep holding on..." The Four Tops had a similar message in their hit, "Reach Out I'll Be There"... "Now if you feel you can't go on because all of your hope is gone and your life is filled with much confusion until happiness is just an illusion and your world around is crumpling down,darlin', reach out..." God is speaking, are you listening?
So as you pause to reflect on the life of Michael Jackson, no matter how bizarre it became, remember the innocence of a young boy who reminded us that all we have to do is call God's name and He'll be there. Have a grateful heart, full of joy and laughter. Love God. Love one another.