A Springsteen Revival – A Brief Reflection

Denise and I had the wonderful opportunity to come back to my home state of Minnesota to hear “The Boss” offer up an evening of positive energy and outstanding music on the opening night of the E Street Band’s “Land of Hope & Dreams tour.” I needed this concert last night more than I realised.

As an American, a Veteran, and a Pastor, I have struggled a lot with complex feelings and concerns about the trajectory of this nation that I love and served for 26 years in uniform. Feelings of anger, despair, depression, and anxiety have been, at times, difficult for me to handle. Thankfully, Denise my sweet partner in life, love, and ministry has walked with me through these challenges and continues to be one of my guiding lights.

I needed a revival of the soul and Bruce Springsteen did just that for me and for Denise. The feeling of community and commitment amongst the approximately 18,000 concert goers was palpable. The energy was carried out into the streets of Minneapolis as we left the venue and walked back to our hotel. Even this morning the energy and excitement was present in the breakfast area and elevator as we chatted with others who had attended the concert.

In his opening comments last night, Springsteen said “We are here in celebration and defense of our American ideals…” He then asked us to join in choosing hope over fear, democracy over authoritarianism, the rule of law over lawlessness, ethics over unbridled corruption, resistance over complacency, unity over and peace over war! At that point, the band blasted right into the epic song “War!”

At the end of the concert, Springsteen reminded us that this country was founded by people who disagreed with each other but that didn’t stop the founders from working together in building this nation forged in the crucible of a Revolution which gave birth to our country and the Constitution which is the foundation of who we are as Americans.

Before beginning “Chimes of Freedom,” he told the audience This is a tour that was not planned. We’re here tonight because we need to steal your hope and your strength. And we wanted to bring some hope and some strength to you. I hope we did.

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band delivered on that promise and he encouraged us to go home and, in the words of the late Congressman John Lewis, get in good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.

Thanks for the encouragement Boss, we will return home with our spirits revived and with a renewed fire in our hearts. And with you We’ll take our stand for this land/And the stranger in our midst/We’ll take our stand for this land/And the stranger in our midst/We’ll remember the names of those who died/On the streets of Minneapolis.