Why Shouldn't We

These words (below) and music were written by Mary Chapin Carpenter and can be heard on her exquisite album The Calling. They remind me of the Divine Inheritance I believe to be all of ours, an inheritance of hope, connection and compassion. Yes, I know so many things get in the way of feeling hope, of trusting and resting in hope... but with MCC I choose to believe that there is tremendous hope deep within us, always keeping us going.

Perhaps instead of considering Christ to be the object of our hope, Christians would be more faithful to embrace life in him with gratitude for his timeless ability to stir up our living well of hope, to raise us up in the power to dwell in its nourishing springs. That would indeed be an advent of a New Creation.

Why shouldn't we?


We believe in things that we cannot see
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Hands that heal can set a chained man free
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

We believe in peace within every heart
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Burning brightly, brightly in the dark
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

Chorus:
So come on darling feel your spirits rise
Come on children open up your eyes
God is all around
Buddha's at the gate
Allah hears your prayers
It's not too late

And we believe in things that will give us hope
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Let your voice be heard, celebrate your vote
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

Chorus

We believe in things that make us all the same
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Love belongs to all in deed and name
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
And we believe in things that can't be done
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we
Lift up your heart, put down your gun
Why shouldn't we, why shouldn't we

We believe in things
We're told that we cannot change
Why shouldn't we
We had heroes once, and we will again
Why shouldn't we
So come on darling
Come on children
God is all around,
Buddha's at the gate
Allah hears our prayers
It's not too late

Chorus

Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we
Why shouldn't we