Marilyn's Musings
March 17, 2026
“It only takes a spark to get a fire going, and soon all those around can warm up in its glowing. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it; you spread his love to everyone; you want to pass it on.”
“Pass it on” – I am starting my musing this week with the words from a song that we sang on Sunday. This is a song that just fills me with joy. Written by Kurt Kaiser in 1969 as part of a youth musical “Tell It Like It Is”, it quickly became an iconic song for youth and congregational singing. He was born in 1934 in Chicago and composed more than sixty hymn texts and tunes. He wanted a modern song equal to the classic hymn “Just as I Am” for the musical's closing number. As he was sitting by his fireplace on Sunday night he wrote the song’s core meaning. “It only takes a spark to get a fire going”. He completed the rest of the lyrics in about 20 minutes with help from his wife on the final verse.
“What a wondrous time is spring when all the trees are budding. The birds begin to sing; the flowers start their blooming. That’s how it is with God’s love once you’ve experienced it; you want to sing; it’s fresh like spring, you want to pass it on”.
This song reflects the power of a simple idea set to a singable tune. Such songs take on a life that the composer never considered. Mr. Kaiser notes, "I am always amazed how the Lord can take a little song and use it to reach so many people. It has been sung at countless weddings and funerals, at ordination services, by the Sea of Galilee, in Rhodesia, on the aircraft carrier Enterprise, and lots of camps."
I want to send this last verse from me to you and hopefully you will pass it on to your friends too:
I wish for you, my friend, this happiness that I’ve found, you can depend on him, it matters not where you’re bound. I’ll shout it from the mountain top – I want my world to know; the Lord of love has come to me; I want to pass it on.”
Think about how we are passing on God’s love. Pastor Debbie is doing it by sharing her faith with us on Sunday mornings telling us the story of God. I hope I am doing it by sharing my musing with you. Are we passing on God's love in the thrift shoppe? Are we passing on God's love at our Food Drives? Is the choir at church on the holidays passing on God’s love? Are we passing on God’s love with all the groups that meet at Old North? Think about it. I know the answer is a Yes!!!!
I know we just sang this song on Sunday but let’s sing it again. We can sing it in our homes; we can go for a walk and sing it out loud. I am heading out on my back deck and singing it today.
“Pass It On”
https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=AkHc9dM2VlY&si=JwJnigFWOSu7nW-E
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Preview YouTube video PASS IT ON || LYRICS Preview YouTube video PASS IT ON || LYRICS
