The Melody of Lent

 

You are giving and forgiving, Ever blessing, ever blessed,
Well-spring of the joy of living, Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Loving Spirit, Father and Mother, all who love belong to you;
Teach us how to love each other, by that love our joy renew.

Henry van Dyke originally wrote the words of this hymn as a poem in 1907.  He said, 

“These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feelings and desires in this present time—hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.” 

100 years ago, van Dyke tried to give voice to a faithfulness that was grounded not in human doing, but in human being – being part of God’s world and participating in God’s creativity.  The final line of this third stanza is particularly powerful to me, “Teach us how to love each other, by that love our joy renew.”  Often times, we use the words, “joy” and “happiness” inter-changeable.  But happiness is an emotion that is awoken because of an experience of an unspeakable joy.  While you might be able to put on a happy face, even if it is forced – joy doesn’t work that way.  Joy is an openness and realization that God is at work in this world.  Joy is a gift from the One who is the immortal giver.  As you read the third verse of our hymn this week – or if you are willing to sing these words to yourself - I invite you to ponder a few questions:

How do you sense God melting away cloud of sorrow?  How does joy break through beyond your control and comprehension?

How does creation offer testimony to God’s presence right here and right now in your life?

How might God’s love embodied in family and friends renew your joy?

How are you living the “And” of life?  That life is both bruised and beautiful – both flawed and fabulous – both disjointed and joyful.  Let God’s transforming grace into the tensions of life – perhaps not to solve that tension – but to sit with you in it with strength and love that can renew.

May these questions awaken prayers of joy within you today.  And remember you are invited to write a joy in the comment section.