Creed

Below is a song I wrote a while back, but haven’t shared publicly until now. I wrote it after a discussion in my Sunday school class about creeds, in which I asked whether a list of beliefs ought to be what characterizes us, or something else.

Here are the lyrics, which are also in the video:

Creed

I believe in God, the boundless

Love that never knows an end

A love for enemy as well as friend

I believe in following Jesus

Path from which I sometimes stray

I believe to believe is to do, and not just to say

CHORUS

This is my creed

To stand against injustice

To feed the poor and needy

To side with the oppressed

This is my creed

To help the broken-hearted

To comfort the afflicted

To help the tired find rest

And if you say that’s not a creed

I’ll say you don’t know what it means to believe

I believe in acting justly

Loving mercy, loving grace

I believe in walking humbly

With your God

I believe in treating others

As you want them to treat you

I believe its OK to believe

But you also must do

CHORUS

This is my creed

To be there for those who sorrow

And to work for our tomorrow

As long as I may live

This is my creed

To live a life of passion

Of kindness and of compassion

Giving all I have to give

And if you say that’s not a creed

I’ll say you don’t know what it means to believe

(c) 2013 James F. McGrath