Adam, Jesus, George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt meet here
Here is song about Adam, Jesus, George Washington and Franklin Roosevelt. Please enjoy the video, then come back here and read how I connect the dots.
Adam
Adam was clearly warned to avoid the one thing that would bring death. If he had obeyed, apparently he would still be around today. Instead, he brought death to himself and all mankind after him.
I won’t go into what the Bible says about the wonderful promise of everlasting, bright, joyful life to come.
And I won’t go into what the Bible says about life for those who reject God’s goodness. (Each person makes their choice. Choose wisely!!)
Just know that Adam’s sin means we “pass through” this life.
This song and the Bible start at about the same place: Adam’s disobedience sent mankind down a one-way road to death.
Jesus
Jesus, the “last Adam”, is God’s miracle gift to mankind. Through obedience — and love beyond imagination — Jesus built a new road leading to everlasting life, and invited all to follow him there. Because of Jesus we can live meaningful lives NOW, and also pass through to an amazing life in the future.
George Washington. George Washington??
The songwriter fast-forwards us to a time in history most Americans honor. George Washington and a band of cold, hungry, tired soldiers stood faithful to bring a fledgling country into existence, a country where all people would be free to worship and serve God. They sought to secure the blessings of liberty. They believed it was a cause worth both living AND dying for. After all, they were only passing through. The rewards would be collected —- in due time.
Franklin Roosevelt
The song was written when the memory of the devastation of World War II was fresh. The world craved peace but saw death and destruction.
We are reminded that mankind does not do a good job of bringing peace. The song suggests “brotherhood” might bring peace. Brotherhood is a good thing, but is no guarantee for peace.
But Jesus both promises and delivers peace. With Jesus, people find peace in this life. And we look forward to peace we’ll enjoy when we live with Jesus forever. Until then, we are “passing through”.
Now we can make good choices and live large as members of the body of Christ, as stewards of the mysteries of God, as dear children, glory bound.
Hallelujah!
Why I like this song
I’ve known the song for many years. I like the catchy melody and chorus. The song reminds me to be patient and hang in there. Even though this world is not my home, what I do while I’m here matters. God loves us and cares for us. I want to bless and honor Him now and always in everything I say and do.
Send it on ahead
A very rich man died. Someone asked, “How much did he leave behind?”
The answer, “He left it all.”
I’ve heard, “You can’t take it with you. But you can send it on ahead.”
Really!!! You can send it on ahead. We will be rewarded for good we do here. We can send it on ahead! So — passing through — but not passing UP opportunities to do good, to love God, to love one another, and to live more abundant lives that honor God and bless us. Passing through — and leaving the place better for our visit. How about it?!? This song reminds me of these ideas.
Enjoy!
God bless you lots!
-Dale
LYRICS: Passing Through
Song by Dick Blakeslee (1948)
I saw Adam leave the garden, with an apple in his hand,
I said, “Now you’re out, what are you gonna do?”
“Plant my crops and pray for rain, maybe raise a little Cain,
I’m an orphan now and only passing through.”
CHORUS:
Passing through, passing through,
sometimes happy, sometimes blue,
glad that I ran into you;
tell the people that you saw me passing through.
I saw Jesus on the cross, on that hill called Calvary,
“Do you hate mankind for what they done to you?”
He said, “Talk of love not hate, things to do it’s gettin’ late,
I’ve so little time and I’m just passing through.”
Well, I shivered with George Washington, one night at Valley Forge,
“Why do the soldiers freeze here like they do?”
He said, “Men will suffer, fight, Even die for what is right,
Even though they know they’re only passing through.”
I heard Franklin Roosevelt sigh just a while before he died,
He said, “One world must come out of World War Two;
Yankee, Russian, white or tan, Lord a man is just a man,
We’re all brothers and we’re only passing through”
Your thoughts?
What advice would you offer to someone trying to make good decisions about how to spend their time and efforts in this life? Does the idea we can “send it on ahead” make much of a difference? Please jot your thoughts in the “Leave a Reply” section below.
If you’ll share your email address with me, I’ll send you a tiny note when I post new songs. AND, as a COOL FREEBIE, I always include a link on these notes which enable you to access a hidden place on the internet, “The Music Box”, where you can download attractive song sheets for songs I post. No, I won’t share your address with anyone. I’ll only use it to make sure YOU are included in news about things going on here. I’d love to have your company as we build this song collection resource. Just click the button below and tell me where to send the note. THANKS! – Dale R.
The song made me realize that part of our stewardship is of time.
Good point! It’s been said, “You can make more money. But you can’t make more time.” There’s a thought-provoking line in Bonnie Raitt’s song “Nick of Time” about getting older, “Life gets mighty precious when there’s less of it to waste”. I “joke” that when I was younger “I thought I knew everything and was immortal.” But as the years collect in my rear view mirror, I don’t feel that way so much any more…
Thanks much for sharing this thought! God bless ya! -Dale
I think it’s more honest to live life in light of an “eternity timeline” I’ll call it, which certainly allows us to plant seed today that grows a crop commensurate with the new body Christians receive at the Rapture. ?
Great song
You always make me see things in a different, better, light. Thank you for inspiring us to “pass it forward” as we are “passing through”.