Let down your arms and find home

Although our paths didn't cross often, Michael (M.J.) Sharp and I were in the same class at EMU. In March 2017, the news of his disappearance and death in the Democratic Republic of Congo as part of a peacebuilding effort were a shock to many.

In the weeks around these events, we often were reading different stories of M.J.'s life and impact in different places around the world.  Each story or article added something to understanding M.J.'s work.

One aspect that caught my attention was the idea of understanding ancient narratives that run through cultures or nations.  In our collective imagination, there is often a purer, idealized version of ourselves that people feel has been lost.  From what I read, M.J. was trying to understand and work with these stories as they attempted to encourage people to put down their weapons and return home.  This represents an incredible amount of courage.

I started working on this song around that time, and picked it up again in recent months. I think the lessons we can learn from M.J. have relevance for us, where ever we are, as we evaluate the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we desire to be.


The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.  John 1:5





Let down your arms and find home

there are the old stories
that fill our bones
where we call home
our roots, our pride, our glory

but there is our now, at odds with our lore
shame from the fall
a nation lost
and people dream for power once more

and as the drums of war surround us
there's a fire to avenge the past
and a voice for peace almost unheard
says forgive, and live

let down your arms and go home
let down your arms and find home

we're breathing the old stories
the flags are raised
a price to pay
the burden, the blood, for victory

and as we go building the walls
in anger and fear
we're deaf to hear
and our minds and our people are closed off


blessed are the peacemakers
for they are
children of God
and the light of love shines on