Disclaimer: I am by no means an opponent of contemporary Christian music. I have listened to Lauren Daigle, Kari Jobe, and Hillsong United on repeat. Many artists in recent years have written songs that have moved me and touched my heart. These are songs that I've shared with my students, hoping that they will be encouraged.
My earliest memories, however, are of sitting in church with my mom and brothers while Dad led music. The four-part harmony, the verses, and repeating choruses are ingrained deeply into my soul. I can still hear Dad's rich baritone singing reassuringly, "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" as Mom's mellow alto joined in. As an adult, the words and melodies resonate with me on a much deeper, more personal level.
I started my day (Palm Sunday) listening to the message brought into my family room via YouTube. Side note: aren't we fortunate to be living in an age where this is possible? The passage, from Joshua 6, tells the story of the Israelites circling the walls of Jericho in obedience to God's command and His promise to give them victory. Pastor Stiverson brought up a very (for me) eye-opening point: Joshua never told the people how many times they were to march around the city! Imagine it! Thousands of people marching several miles daily, singing and worshipping, following the Ark of the Covenant, never knowing how long it would last! Amazing!
That is the kind of faith and obedience that inspired some of our most familiar and beloved hymns of the past two centuries. I have discovered the backstories of the authors of several of these songs. They include a man suffering life-long depression, a woman living and dying in extreme poverty, women who suffered through chronic illnesses and blindness, slaves living in appalling conditions, men who lost wives and children in unimaginable tragedies, and those fleeing religious persecution. Most lived through wars, poverty, influenza, religious turmoil and economic uncertainty. Yet still, they marched, around the city, encircling their fears with praise. They never knew when or if their circumstances would change but persevered in the knowledge that God was in control. Their only task was to 'Trust and Obey".
As we face the unknown, my hope is placed in God, not politicians or celebrities or economists. As my pastor reminded us this morning.
"Obedience is our responsibility, Outcome is God's responsibility"(Bryan Stiverson, TBA Church)
I'll leave you with the words of my favorite hymn, written in 1932 by a black gospel composer, Thomas A Dorsey. Mr. Dorsey penned these poignant words the week following the death of his wife and newborn son.
Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, help me stand; I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Thru the storm, thru the night, lead me on to the light, Take my hand, precious Lord, lead me home.
When my way grows drear, Precious Lord, linger near; when my life is almost gone, hear my cry, hear my call, hold my hand lest I fall; Take my hand, precious Lord, and lead me home
"To trust God in the light is nothing, but to trust him in the dark...that is faith. -C.H Spurgeon
Love this❤
Her dad was trained by a sweet lady only about 3-4 years older than he. Her trust in him set his course on leading music for all his life. That lady today is active in music and has aided and trained many folks at the University of Miami. The blogger owes her roots in music to this dear lady. The blogger was selected to use her musical talents with a group from her college and blessed many teens along the way.
This lady has her head on straight; must have gotten her brains from her mother.