Image

I’ve been thinking a lot about events in the news, especially about how indifferent we can become when people who are suffering aren’t just like us.

So, I wrote something and wanted to share it. I haven’t performed any of my own music for any audience other than my kids in almost 20 years, but here goes…

Lyrics:

“Image”
Ed Cottrell
2020

A little dust and the breath of life
And He made us out of clay.
He formed us in His image and
It will never pass away.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,
We must all walk down that way.
Yet I talk about all of my “rights,”
I have no time for you today.

My brother’s face and my sister’s hand,
From them both I turn aside.
Like mine but colored differently,
If my eyes they have not lied.
I think the image that matters most
Is the one on your outside.
So I won’t take your pleading hand
Or put death to all my pride.

Oh, God, Your name I profaned again today!
The widow, fatherless, and poor I simply cast away.
Have mercy on me, but don’t ask me, Lord, to change.
This mirror suits me just fine, but Your image I won’t face.

The news today has more numbers,
Stories of the price we’ve paid.
The numbers, they don’t move me, and
The stories, I can’t relate.
Unborn or old, woman, man, or child,
Or a different shade than me:
I think that I get to decide
Who will stand, who bend the knee.

Life’s journey’s full of stepping stones,
On each my foot shall stand.
I don’t glance down, so I won’t see,
Faces crying, “I am a man!”
I don’t fit the description,
So I’ll just go about my day,
Focus on things more comfortable.
Yes, it’s easier that way.

Oh, God, Your name I profaned again today!
The widow, fatherless, and poor I simply cast away.
Have mercy on me, but don’t ask me, Lord, to change.
This mirror suits me just fine, but Your image I won’t face.