The year was 1969, and this song spoke to two groups of people. In one group, soldiers, mainly young men, were shipping out to the Vietnam war. Heartbroken and teary-eyed girlfriends, fiancés, and wives were unsure if their loved ones would return. The song was burning a hole in the airwaves and in the hearts of listeners. It challenged the day and added to the uncertainty of tomorrow.
Local visits to our Woolworth, was a delight because as my mom shopped, I would listen to the endless sounds of Motown playing through the store’s loudspeakers. There was an atmosphere of hope and love. Being twelve years old, the world of songs depicting pain, hope, and a promising future, was new and exciting for me. The melodies were enchanting.
But countless people’s lives were impacted by a window in time that made their ordeals all the more real. Leaving home and not knowing if they’d return was like a punch in the gut for many. To this day, there are many who can attest to never welcoming their loved-ones, home. Many injured, maimed, and suffering men returned with scarred lives. Such heartache, such tragedy.
A second group consisted of those in love. There were couples at crossroads, and some who broke off their engagements and have always wondered what life would be like if they hadn’t. The song glues them to that time and place in their past. Two lines say: “A long time ago, my, my sweet thing, I made a big mistake, honey (I said) see I said goodbye.” Many regrets. Many unknowns. That was then, but what about today? Are you living in the past or the present?
Getting to the nitty-gritty, have you walked away from God? Do you recognize your mistake in saying goodbye to Him, or (ever since that day) All I want to do, oh, is cry, cry”? Hey, God knows the stories behind your tears. He’s waiting for your return. No questions asked.
The song’s purpose is to give us hope of someday reuniting with loved-ones. Everyone wants to hold that little one on their lap, or hug that teenager ever-so-tightly. Many would love the chance to hold their dads or moms at least one last time. It might appear impossible to some, but there’s hope.
Likewise, from eternity to eternity, God’s plan has been to reunite with His beloved creation: you and me. Before He founded the world, even from everlasting, God’s plan of salvation was already in place, and His promises still hold true.
Just as the song says, “I long for you” King David in his many Psalms talks about a longing for God. Psalm 42:2 reads: “As the deer longs for streams of water, so my soul longs for you, O God.”
You might be hurting over memories of the past. Maybe your loved one didn’t make it home, or maybe (s)he got away. But we have a hope in Christ that we’ll see them again; if they, and we, are saved.
The “war” (of good over evil) soon will be over, and God, our Beloved, will be coming home, not confused, unstable, or unrecognizable, but triumphant! Will he have injuries? YES! He’ll have the piercings as proof He’s the real deal, but alive forevermore!
In Christ, there will be plenty of tears of joy and happiness when we stand in His presence surrounded not only by myriads of angels, but by those who have gone before us. And once that delight hits home, the celebrations begin! That “Someday,” will have arrived!! But the tears of sadness will be gone!
Revelation 21:3, 4 NIV tells us: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying, or pain, for the old order of things has passed away”
God Bless!
Sam
By Diana Ross and the Supremes