Long before the words of our faith were written down in the Holy Bible, the people of Israel and Paul’s congregations “sang” the faith in song. Long before strife and disagreement over doctrine and rules emerged, faith was simply chanted, sung with joyful hearts in thanksgiving to the God who loves us and created us all.
Sometimes when disagreements over rules and polity and theology emerge, only a song will do. When the United Methodists often gather, a frequent hymn is by Charles Wesley’s “And Are We Yet Alive?” (see attached words).  In the midst of our own struggles over whether congregations will choose to leave or lessen their ties with Salem Presbytery and the Presbyterian Church USA Wesley’s words seem appropriate and hopeful for all of us:
What troubles have we seen,
what mighty conflicts past,
fightings without, and fears within,
since we assembled last!
Yet out of all the Lord
hath brought us by his love;
and still he doth his help afford,
and hides our life above.  – Charles Wesley
In spite of all the challenges we face, and the grief and anguish for those on all sides of the issues that divide us, there is still our faith and hope to celebrate that the Church belongs to Jesus Christ.  Our journey now may be confusing or disorienting, but we must not lose touch with the songs that lift our hearts to the “sure and certain” hope that “Jesus is Lord! He has been Lord from the beginning. He will be Lord at the end. Even now he is Lord”  Perhaps we would all benefit from singing more and talking less.
I have two hymns attached to lift your hearts! (Click here for these two hymns) The Wesley Hymn is in celebration of the joy that we are yet worshipping, witnessing, serving Christ together, in spite of our differences. The second hymn was often sung acapella by one of my choir members in the congregation I served in Mississippi, “How Can I Keep from Singing”. Time stood still and you could hear a pin drop when she sang that song. The words of the hymn are now in the public domain, and there are many versions, some more secular than others.  I have attached the YouTube link for the version by the artist Enya – I apologize that I could not find a more classic hymn version that evoked the same lyrical power to transform the words into music that literally fills a person’s heart. Read the hymn version as you hear her sing…artists and versions aside, the major theme is that we are so blessed by God’s Grace, how can we not be filled with song? How Can We Keep from Singing? This is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RBjwQroGNE
There will be many challenges as we move forward in this new year, budgets, issues, congregations departing. We need to continue our respect for all who are struggling, but even in the midst of that, let us all raise our voices in Thanksgiving to God for Grace and Redemption.
Sam Marshall |
