The Melody of Lent

 

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me.

The word “Abide” is not exactly one that falls from my lips most days.  I don’t say, “I will abide in this line at the grocery story.”  Or, I will abide with my family in this abode.  Although, that last sentence has a kind of cool 18^th century English vibe to it.  The word “Abide” is synonymous with words like, “remain, wait, and dwell” (hold onto that last alternative, I will come back to it).  Often, that list is what happens to us.  We are told to wait in a doctor’s office or as a kid told to say remain right there.  Waiting puts us in a position where we are no longer in control.  So, initially abide doesn’t seem like something you want to do.  Until you consider that the hymn adds the word “with” to “Abide”.  For me, there is a sudden shift and breaking open.  Abide with means to stay with (someone) or to live with someone.  Suddenly, abide has agency and choice.  You can select where you stay and with whom you live.  You have a say. 

Abide is both an invitation from us and for us.  Abide is both a situation we are put into and we can decide to put ourselves into, which is where the word, “dwell” comes into play. 

Where are you dwelling (or abiding) right now?

You could answer that question physically – by describing your surroundings – are you inside or outside – in a place you want to be?

You could answer that question spiritually – how is your soul right now?

You could answer that question emotionally – how heavy or light is your heart?

As we enter, abide, reside, and dwell in our holiest week, I invite you to pray the words of this hymn slowly.  You can sing the words softly, for God to dwell with you.  You can belt out these words loudly as a passionate plea, cry for God to be with you as you try to emerge from the COVID cocoon, unsure what is safe or not.  Hold each line in your heart.  Where do you need God to abide?  Where do you feel the darkness deepen right now?  Where have other helpers (things you have turned to like retreats or the church or other people) failed to abide?

I pray this Holy week, you might hear your story in the story of Jesus facing the cross.  Moreover, I pray you will sense God’s abiding presence with you now and every day for months to come.

Prayer: Abide with us, O God, in these days send us Your love, power, and grace we need every day.  Amen.