One of his recordings which has stood the test of time, even being nominated for the Oscar best original song in 1945, came from the 1944 film ‘Here come the waves’; and with lyrics by Johnny Mercer originated in a sermon from a popular American preacher Rev J M Divine which headlined ‘You got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative.’
‘A colourful phrase’ thought Mr Mercer, and with the help of songwriter Harold Arlen, created a song which has passed the test of time.
You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative
Don't mess with Mister In-Between
(Lyrics- Johnny Mercer
© Universal Music Publishing Group)
We are all given talents by our creator God; and as Jesus himself tells us in the Sermon on the Mount – don’t hide your light under a bushel. Meaning of course that we shouldn’t be afraid to put on view and use the giftings that our Creator God has given us. Let our gifts be accentuated and be seen by fellow humanity, that the glory may be given to God.
It is perhaps more common to think of the coming Lent as a penitential period, one of purgation or elimination of what diverts us from our God-given destiny and purpose. This applies to us both as individuals and as church communities. We are, however, also, individually and collectively called to Mission, and as such must remember the paraphrased words of William Temple, that the church chiefly exists for its’ non-members; and thus dare I suggest, we need to not-only consider our personal interior lives and the worship of our churches – but to continually reflect on how we reach those who have neither heard of the love of God or welcomed Him into their lives.
Which leads us to ‘Mr In-Between’ in the song.
John writes to the church in Laodicea (Revelation 3:16) that because they are neither hot nor cold, he will spit them out.
There is a dual meaning behind John’s words. Firstly, Laodicea was a place that did not have its own water supply, and relied on aqueducts to bring in water from other sources, including the hot springs at Hieropolis (around six miles north) – thus by the time the water had arrived, it had become tepid and changed from its’ original character.
Secondly, Hieropolis was a place where various Roman and Greeks cults were practiced including worship of the mother goddess Cybele.
Thus we receive the meaning that whilst the original and true faith had been taught in Laodicea, it had been both watered down in intensity, and external and non-Christian beliefs had been accepted by a young Christian grouping as a weak version of the truth.
May that faith be the Gospel of Love brought to us by the Babe of Bethlehem - and may it’s fruits be seen and shown by us all – Justice, Joy, and Peace.
Revd Dom Paul-Bernarde OSBA