Editing the Hymnal in Our Soul ~ Release

 

As we continue to survey and scan the hymnals of our heart, it is important to spend a few moments focusing on hymns that have passed their expiration date.  Not every hymn we have sung in the past is a gem.  Not every hymn is an oldie but a goodie.  Some hymns need to be retired.  For example, I struggle in my soul with hymns that talk about Jesus’ blood being shed as a sacrifice.  It sends a shutter down my spine, my mind yells, “Objection!!”.   I want to put my fingers in my ears and shout, “I can’t hear you.”  One hymn in this category is, “There is a fountain filled with blood.”  I want to be clear, if this is on your top ten list, please know I do want to hear why you find this meaningful and what warms your heart.  For me, when I hear the words, “There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Immanuel’s veins; and sinners, plunged beneath that flood, lose all their guilty stains,” what I hear is a very violent theology about God who demanded a transaction rather than God who vulnerably and loving faced the cross in the flesh and breath of Jesus.  I hear the words of an era that was so concerned about our sinfulness that never quite grasped our in-God’s-image-ness.  A fountain of blood image makes my stomach queasy and soul uneasy and I understand why people have walked away from this theology. 

 

Part of the difficulty of hymns is that there is emotion woven into the melody.  We don’t want to admit that what we are singing is in tension with our current theology and understanding of God.  We like what we like, even when there are contradictions.  Moreover, we can feel defensive when someone else suggests that our favorite hymn isn’t perfect or meaningful or their favorite.  This causes our amygdala to shift into overdrive wanting us to fight or flock (we say, “Well, everyone else likes this hymn or wants to do it this way”) or flee (we are outta here if you are not going to sing what I want when I want it).  Music is deeply personal, like the art in your house.  You may love your oil painting of dogs playing poker that another person finds tacky.  You may flock to see Hamilton while others think that is so 2020.  What you find meaningful, another may find offensive.  Diversity is not only about race or religion or gender or sexual orientation, but also about what we read, listen to, watch, and ways we fill our days.  We love to recommend our favorite shows saying, “You must watch this…” because that is a connection to another in a lonely world.  And when someone doesn’t get a lump in their throat when singing, “The dying thief rejoiced to that fountain in his day…” we might feel judged or jaded or jilted by the disconnection and discord we now feel.  Art matters.  Art can also create divisions because of the diversity.  How do we sing when the hymnal in your heart is as unique as your fingerprint?  That is the question we will continue to ponder and discuss as a people of God in these days.  For today, is there a hymn on your list that maybe you are not so sure that the words still warm your soul?  Can you thank a hymn for helping sing your way to the place you are now and release that hymn to no longer be on your top ten list?  Not every hymn from yesterday needs to be on our greatest hits list today.  May this invitation help you as you look over the hymnal of your heart that hums in your life today.  Amen.