There has been much talk around the country in these past few weeks about the state of our present times and the stability of the future. People are concerned about the debt crisis. Others are more concerned about health care. And others think our time and energy should really be spent on ending the war. The list goes on and on, as we are truly living in very complicated times.
Yet in all the conversations happening in our communities, on our televisions and even our our computers screens we hear very little about concerning ourselves with hope. Just this week a ninth grader said to me that she believed the world was falling apart. If the young in our country do not have hope, what kind of future can we expect to have?
As worship leaders, what is our responsibility in the issue of hope? How or even should we address this liturgically? Are we doing our part as the Body of Christ to uplift the hope that is so integral to our faith? Or are we simply existing as the Titanic - the last place for people to gather for one last toast singing "Nearer My God to Thee" as the ship goes down underneath us?
The wonderful thing about the Christian liturgy is that it is unchanging, regardless of war, drought, financial depression, or epidemic. From season to season, year to year, it reminds us that regardless of what is happening around us in the world, we can be certain that God cares for us deeply and will not leave us, and that our destiny is one of everlasting joy and peace.
ReplyDeleteSince we have many musical choices regarding hymns and other music during each liturgical season and Sunday, we can look for texts that address some of the specific hardships occurring at any given time. Such texts will consist of much more than, "Praise Mighty God," or "I love you, Jesus." Some of the most intense and "authentic" hymns are the old ones by hymn writers such as Paul Gerhardt, who lived through horrific wars and plauges, and suffered tremendously during their lifetimes. Their hymns both describe their suffering and show how the pain they are suffering leads them to the cross.