U2isthebest
ONE love, blood, life
I was reading Brennan Manning, *again* and he told a story in "Abba's Child" that to me really represents the power of U2's music to help heal me and many others spiritually. I've heard some people say things along the lines of "Most of U2's music isn't uplifting, it doesn't always make me 'feel good' " or they're a bunch of "bleeding hearts" etc. However this story, told by Manning really spoke to me in this area. As we know, Bono writes most of the lyrics, so I'm focusing on him here. We also know he's experienced a lot of tragedy and difficult situations in his life. Anyway, the story is as follows, "Thornton Wilder's one-act play 'The Angel That Troubled The Waters,' based on John 5:1-4, dramatizes the power of the pool of Bethesda to heal whenever the angel stirred its waters. A physician comes perodically to the pool hoping to be the first in line and longing to be healed of his melancholy. The angel finally appears but blocks the physician just as he is ready to step into the water. ...then comes the prophetic word from the angel: 'Without your wounds, where would your power be? It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on Earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living. In Love's service, only wounded soldiers can serve.' ..."
That to me is the essence of U2's music. It goes beyond the typical rock fare of getting stoned and laid and having a good old time and making someone want to jump and dance and party, but not to change the way they live, the way they see the world. I suppose what I'm getting at, is do you feel that these horrible things (losing his mother, mistreatment by his father, etc.) have lead Bono to be the person and in this case the artist he is today. Would U2's music ever have been so powerfully used by God in so many of our lives if it didn't deal with the subject matter it does? In turn, would U2, and especially Bono have been abe to reach all the people they do/have without the trials in their lives that comes forth in the music. That story really puts in perspective for me.
That to me is the essence of U2's music. It goes beyond the typical rock fare of getting stoned and laid and having a good old time and making someone want to jump and dance and party, but not to change the way they live, the way they see the world. I suppose what I'm getting at, is do you feel that these horrible things (losing his mother, mistreatment by his father, etc.) have lead Bono to be the person and in this case the artist he is today. Would U2's music ever have been so powerfully used by God in so many of our lives if it didn't deal with the subject matter it does? In turn, would U2, and especially Bono have been abe to reach all the people they do/have without the trials in their lives that comes forth in the music. That story really puts in perspective for me.