Well, hi there. So, it's been a little while. Like...at least 2 months. I think I've had lots to write about, but not very much motivation to write. I sorta got out of the blogging habit. But I heard a song today that I haven't heard in a while, and I says to myself I says "this means something to me."
The song is "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and is a traditional worship/folk song. A trio sang it at a church fireside tonight, and the words keep running through my head.
The song is "How Can I Keep from Singing?" and is a traditional worship/folk song. A trio sang it at a church fireside tonight, and the words keep running through my head.
My life flows on in endless song;
Above earth's lamentation,
I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn
That hails a new creation;
Thro' all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul--
How can I keep from singing?
What tho' my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What tho' the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it,
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his--
How can I keep from singing?
Above earth's lamentation,
I hear the sweet, tho' far-off hymn
That hails a new creation;
Thro' all the tumult and the strife
I hear the music ringing;
It finds an echo in my soul--
How can I keep from singing?
What tho' my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Saviour liveth;
What tho' the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
No storm can shake my inmost calm
While to that refuge clinging;
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
How can I keep from singing?
I lift my eyes; the cloud grows thin;
I see the blue above it;
And day by day this pathway smooths,
Since first I learned to love it,
The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
A fountain ever springing;
All things are mine since I am his--
How can I keep from singing?
To me, this song is about hope. Specifically, it is about hope in Christ's atonement. The truth is that life will be chaotic sometimes. We'll find ourselves stuck in storms, lost in trials, beaten and battered by what the world throws at us. It would be easy to feel despair and hopelessness in these moments.
But when we can rely on the Savior and trust in Him with the knowledge that we are His, he will guide us through the storm and comfort us through the hardship. He will help us carry our burdens and reassure us that there is light and truth and hope. He will lead us to green pastures and still waters where we can rest. And for this reason, it is always possible to have inner peace in the most tumultuous storm.
But when we can rely on the Savior and trust in Him with the knowledge that we are His, he will guide us through the storm and comfort us through the hardship. He will help us carry our burdens and reassure us that there is light and truth and hope. He will lead us to green pastures and still waters where we can rest. And for this reason, it is always possible to have inner peace in the most tumultuous storm.
For this reason, I cannot keep from singing.