In 1967, musician and lyricist Clark Gesner debuted a new musical he had created based on the classic comic strip, “Peanuts,” by Charles M. Schultz. The show moved to Broadway in 1971, and has since seen several revivals throughout the decades, including a Tony-Award winning production in 1998 starring Anthony Rapp (“Rent”) and Kristin Chenoweth (“Wicked”).
Originally, I was going to write this devotion on the closing number, “Happiness,” which really would have been a softball as the song basically sings a sermon with lines like, “Happiness is anything and anyone at all that’s loved by you.” Instead, however, I’ve opted for one of the catchier songs in the show, “My New Philosophy,” where Sally and Schroeder sing about…well…new philosophies. Sally sings, “Some philosophies are simple: ‘Man does not eat by bread alone.’ Some philosophies are clear: ‘Leave your message at the sound of the tone.’ Some philosophies pick and choose, deciding what goes in it. Some take a lifetime, Mine take a minute.” Schroeder replies, “But, Sally, anything that takes only a minute can’t be very lasting. For instance, Beethoven took over two years to complete his brilliant Ninth Symphony,” to which Sally quickly rebuffs, ‘No!’ I can’t stand it! ‘I can’t stand it!’ I like it! It’s like a guarantee. My new philosophy!”
According to Google, the Oxford Dictionary defines philosophy as, “a particular system of philosophical thought.” In my United Methodist tradition, for example, we are guided by the “General Rules” of John Wesley, which teach to do no harm, do good, and attend upon the ordinances of God daily. Of course, even that philosophy was really rooted in the philosophies of Christ, who taught his disciples to, “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind…and…You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39) So, if you’re looking for a new philosophy today, Jesus has got you covered with a classic that’s stood the test of time. Love God. Love Others. The end.
God, teach us to do no harm, do good, and stay in love with you always. Amen.
the harlequin complex 