This Is My Story...

In 1820, a baby girl was born who would influence Christian hymnals across the world for many years to come.  With the exception of fellow Methodist Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby probably has more hymns included in more denominational hymnals than anyone else.  Because of her amazing talent for writing poetry and her willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit, the Church has been blessed for over 100 years by singing her songs of encouragement, surrender, and glorification of God.

Fanny Crosby

One of her most well-known and beloved hymns was written in 1873.  One day a friend of hers, Phoebe Knapp, met with Crosby and played for her a tune that she had written.  Here is what Crosby said about that meeting, "My friend, Mrs. Joseph F. Knapp, composed a melody and played it over to me two or three times on the piano.  She then asked what it said.  I replied, 'Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!"  Thus was born a song handed down through the ages to help convince children of God that they are indeed loved and cherished by their heavenly Father.

The refrain of the song has always intrigued me.  It states, "This is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long; this is my story, this is my song, praising my savior all the day long."  When I was younger I wondered at the meaning of those words.  What exactly was my story?  What was my song?  What did Crosby mean by these words that she had written?

It wasn't until many years later that I began to understand what these lyrics were getting across.  You see, this song is a song of victory that people who have surrendered to Christ can sing with great enthusiasm.  It's a song that speaks volumes about what God has done and is doing in the lives of those who are kingdom seekers.  When I look back at my own past, I recognize that not everything I have done has lined up with God's desire for me.  Not everything I have said has been beneficial.  Not everything I have thought has been pure.

I have been selfish.  I have been rude.  I have been filled with hatred.  I have lusted.  That is a part of my story.  And as much as I hate that old self...that person I used to be, there's nothing I can do to change it.  In fact, God doesn't even go back and change it.  But he has and continues to change me.  Something even more amazing than that is that he takes that old stuff and turns it into something good.  In Romans 8:28, St. Paul says "We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.  And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified."

Paul reminds us in this passage that God's ultimate plan is to allow people the opportunity to grow into the image of Christ.  Because of God's grace, he has taken my story and redeemed it.  He has taken all of the evil that I have done and has worked it for good.  Who gives a better testimony, the Pharisee thanking God that he's not a sinner or the sinner asking God's forgiveness?

It is with much thanksgiving and enthusiasm that I sing Crosby's song.  You see, my story is mine alone.  Yet it resonates with everyone who has become a part of the large family.  Your story is your own and yet when I hear it, I can know where you have come from because we are both sinners redeemed by the blood of Christ.  We are siblings that get to rejoice that God has taken all of our past and redeemed it for good.  We have a testimony to give.  The ones who are the most affected by it are those who knew us before and after.

So keep telling your story.  Keep singing your song.  Continue to practice perfect submission.  Allow God to redeem your past for his glory and to work it into good.  Until next time...





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I Love Ministry!

These past few weeks Haskell UMC and I have been on a spiritual pilgrimage.  What began as a dream back in the spring, has turned into a reality.  On September 19th, we started meeting together on Wednesday evenings to grow together in our understanding of the Holy Spirit and the gifts that he gives to us.  With a little trepidation (and a lot of prayer), about 60 of us started coming together to seek God's guidance.  We have taken a spiritual inventory, we have examined the spiritual gifts in detail, and we have discussed talents and resources.  This past Wednesday was the half way point.  Towards the end of class we  summarized what we had learned thus far and we looked towards the next three weeks of discovery.  I must admit, I have thoroughly enjoyed our journey so far and I am filled with excitement and expectation of what we will learn together soon.

Some of you may be wondering why I am telling you all of this.  I suppose it has to do with what we discussed this past week.  When I look back at what God has done in my life over the last several years I don't always do a good job of remembering.  I don't always remember my life as a member of the laity...when my entire focus was not on what takes place at church.  I don't always remember the other side of the coin.  But the truth is that most of my parishioners live a life outside the church.  They have jobs, family, and social responsibilities that demand their time, energy, and even their finances.  I guess my life gets so enmeshed with the church that I forget that.

But one thing that really spoke to me this week when I was preparing for the lesson is that ministry is (and should be) fun.  A friend of mine always reminded people that we don't "have" to go to church...we "get" to go to church.  I really like the way she always emphasized that.  Oh, I know, ministry can sometimes be tiring.  It can sometimes be stressful.  It can pull us in ways that we never thought possible.  But I have come to understand that God really does want us to enjoy ministry.  He wants us to be fulfilled.  He wants us to know that when we are doing the things he has called us into that our lives are made fuller, richer, and oh so much more...

This morning, I was reading from Ecclesiastes.  In chapter 3, the author states "God has made everything fitting in its time, but has also placed eternity in their hearts, without enabling them to discover what God has done from the beginning to end.  I know that there's nothing better for them but to enjoy themselves and do what's good while they live.  Moreover, this is the gift of God: that all people should eat, drink, and enjoy the results of their hard work" (11-13).  This verse made me think back to Genesis (before the fall).  Whatever Adam and Eve were doing with their time, it was not viewed as "work."  What they were doing was good.  They cared for the garden as God intended for them to.  It was only after the fall that humanity was required to work by the sweat of their brow.

But I think that when it comes to ministry that we are supposed to enjoy what we do.  Now it might not always be "fun" but it should always be fulfilling.  It might not always be "easy" but it should always make us feel complete.  Sometimes the ministry we are involved in might seem overwhelming, but it shouldn't be impossible. I really believe that God wants us to enjoy the work we do and to enjoy the fruit of our labor.  I think he wants us to get excited about visiting the sick and those in prison.  He wants us to be thrilled to feed the hungry and help those in need.  He wants us to be happy when we teach, preach, and study.

Take time to re-evaluate the ministries you are involved in.  If they bring you joy and make you feel good about yourself...then rock on!  But if you are filled with drudgery and a lack of enthusiasm, maybe you need a break.  Take some time to meditate and pray about it.  Maybe you just need an attitude adjustment (I know I do sometimes).  But maybe God is calling you in a new direction.  Our calling can change over time.  And we should never stick with something that God is no longer calling us into.

Whatever you do, don't give up on ministry.  It is too much fun to quit.  Until next time...

+May your days be filled with richness for the glory of our Father, through the Son, by the Holy Spirit.



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