A Hymn A Day Can Keep The Spirit Stayed

“Hymns have been a powerful instrument of God to draw people closer to God’s word and the saving riches therein.” Billy Graham

I have had hymns on my mind recently

Today I opened my browser, I squinted my eyes, took a deep breath and read the news. I have regrets. I don’t think that we should ignore the world, but can we have one day of good news? I grow tired of politics, division, lies and puffy pieces to blow up mediocre politicians at best. After the squint fest I thought, “That’s it!!” I slammed down my phone and decided to dwell on a hymn a day. Perhaps that will take the ick away. 

Growing up in the South, hymns were a staple of church life

Growing up in the belly of the south, hymns were a staple each and every week. As a child church was tantamount to seeing the face of God. Go to the bathroom? Nope. Take care of your business before church! Make noise? The idea! No. We are in God’s house, noise is only permitted when the pastor says so. I remember being a little one bored out of my gourd, wishing for the golden arches French fries and an orange drink. That was my reward for behaving in church. 

“Just as I Am” was sung often

One hymn that signaled the end of the service was “Just as I am.” We sang all 123405 verses of that song as the pastor asked over and over for those who are in sin to approach the altar and confess their faults. I remember thinking, “Will this ever end? Does this song really have that many verses?” After all verses were sung the pianist played quietly as the pastor continued to make his plea for wayward souls to come home. Oh, that brings another hymn to mind. “Come home, come home, ye who are willing come home. Earnestly tenderly Jesus is calling, calling oh sinner, come home.”

Those hymns were imprinted in my musical mind

I know those chords in the fiber of my being. I can play them without a piano in front of me. Looking back now I think that those words were actually profound. Just as I am without one plea. But that thou blood was shed for me. And that Thou bid’st me, come to thee oh Lamb of God I come. I come. 

Just as I am speaks to the human condition

We come to God with nothing but our burdened soul and spirit. I decided to research the history of this well known hymn. In my research I found that this hymn was written by a true invalid. Charlotte Elliott was a true infirm, confined to her home unable to leave for any amount of time. She truly felt as if she was useless. In her infirmity of laying on the sofa she wrote a statement of faith in her hymn. In her pain, she brought nothing but her soul to God. 

The legacy of hymns lives on

Her hymn was eventually published in a book called The Invalid’s Hymn Book. That was in 1834. Her hymn speaks to hearts and minds today. How much more can we do in our lives? A lot of us are not confined to a sofa or home. We walk amongst the living and experience life. What would your hymn be? What could you write?

Could you write a life hymn?

Now that we know the author was indeed infirm take these last few words into account. Just as I am-though toss’d about, with many a conflict, many a doubt. Fighting and fears within, without. Oh Lamb of God, I come. Perhaps we should take a moment from time to time to compose a life hymn of thanks and honesty to God. 

May her memory be a blessing and may we write a life hymn worthy of her legacy.