Daily Jewel

by Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK

“Looking For Love in the Right Places”
“I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.” – Proverbs 8:17
,br /> A number of musical artists through the years have been (or are) defined by one signature song. Last year while in Branson for a retreat we heard Debbie Boone who’s only hit was a big one, “You Light Up My Life,” but her reputation is based more on her famous father (Pat Boone) than her actual singing career. Billy Ray Cyrus, whose one big hit, “Achy, Breaky, Heart” brought his name into the spotlight but is today known more for his daughter, Miley (Hannah Montana) and his singing career has taken a back seat.,br /> I am not a big country music fan. In fact, I can safely say that I do not like country music at all but from time to time there are songs and the people who sing them that redefine how people view things. I could not tell you a single song that Country Music artist Mickey Gilley had done prior to a song he recorded for the movie, “Urban Cowboy.” The following is the lyrics to that song that was popular in the early 1980’s. The name of the song is “Looking for Love.”

I spent a lifetime lookin' for you Single bars and good time lovers were never true Playing a fool’s game, hopin' to win Tellin' those sweet lies and losin' again.

I was lookin' for love in all the wrong places Lookin' for love in too many places Searchin' her eyes, lookin' for traces Of what I'm dreamin' of Hoping to find a friend and a lover I'll bless the day I discover, You - lookin' for love.
I was alone then, no love in site I did everything I could to get me through the night Don''t know where it started or where it might end I'd turn to a stranger just like a friend.

Music speaks to the heart and to the soul. And many times songs and music reflect how the heart feels—and what makes this song so powerful is the fact that far too many live by this philosophy. This is the “theme” song that a host of people—who night after night go from one club or bar to another looking for that one person (or thing) that will make their life complete. ,br /> I think back to the late 70’s, early 80’s when disco ruled the airwaves. The big movie was the blockbuster, “Saturday Night Fever” which would spawn a number of copy-cat movies all with the same story line; young people gathering to find that one person they can “hook-up” with and have a good time. Many of the songs from that era had to do with dancing and the “beat” of the songs prompted people to do just that!,br /> This did not just play out on the movie screen! Hundreds of disco-clubs opened all across the United States and Europe. Every weekend they would be filled with loud music and longing hearts. The vast majority who went to those clubs would leave with nothing more than a headache and shattered hopes! And if you are wondering if I was one of those I have been describing the answer to that is an emphatic, NO!! As much as I did not like Country music I hated disco even more and I had better things to spend my time and money on. Solomon tells us what to look for and more importantly, where! Looking for love, hope, peace, in any other place other than the Father’s heart will only result in an empty search. If you want to gather to a place where you will find love, then look no further than the Body of Christ…the Church. Although it is not perfect, and there are those who fail to live out God’s purpose for them, it still remains the avenue and channel from which His love flows.,br /> If you want answers to life…love…hope…here it is!! And the good part about it—it is without cost and headache free! And the best part…you don’t have to know how to dance.
Pastor J. T. Carnell