Stop the world, I want to get off.

This was the title of a musical int he 1960’s. In fact, it was the first musical I ever saw – in fact the first time I ever went to a ‘proper’ theatre.

It was 1962 and while a student at the Ringwood Technical School in Victoria, I was part of a drama group. No, I was never on the stage. I found my role early on in life as being in the background of things, helping to make things work – Production Assistant/Stage Manager. We had a wonderful English teacher, John Ellis who was himself a recognised actor and director of live drama. (I don’t know why, but of all the things to remember from my youth, I remember his car – a green VW beetle with the number plate HHH 210! Weird!).

Also, part of that drama group was a classmate, John Wood, who went on to have a professional career as an actor, mostly known for his long-standing role in the TV drama, “Blue Heelers”.  A few years ago John wrote his auto-biography and I was amazed that he remembered me as part of his life journey.

At John Ellis’ instigation the group made the journey into the city to the Forum Theatre to see the musical. The theatre itself was somewhat awe-inspiring with columns, red curtains and stars twinkling from the main ceiling.  It was a whole new world to me.

The theme of the musical was the futility of selfishness, arrogance and search for wealth. One of the main songs that arose from the musical was “Once in a lifetime”. One of the verses reads:

“You may ask yourself, “What is that beautiful house?”

You may ask yourself, “Where does that highway go to?”

And you may ask yourself, “Am I right, am I wrong?”

And you may say to yourself, “My God, what have I done?”

Of late there have been times when I just want to join in the chorus of, “Stop the world, I want to get off!”   The focus of much we read in the papers, watch on TV and hear on the radio relates to a better (and bigger) home, travelling to somewhere, but not it seems, questioning whether we are right or wrong or querying the value of what we have done.  The focus on self – what I want, what I can do, what I am owed, what I think, what I believe – it alarms me. 

In the musical, Littlechamp (the lead), only realises what he has done with his life at his death.  The trouble is, we don’t know when that will occur.  We live as if it will never happen, but that is a fantasy.  But why should death be the driver?  Why not life?

The Christian teachings of humility, servanthood, caring for the other before self – these are the things that provide meaning for life.   We live in community, with others.  Faith is a personal thing – we cannot believe for someone else, but how we live and share that faith is outward focused.