Sunday, April 24, 2011
Easter Songs
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Songs That Really Are New
Many times I get to sing songs that I have never heard before. It’s a bit hard to listen for the tune and pay attention to the words at the same time. A few weeks ago we sang a really new song, written about a year ago for Easter by Nathan Partain.
Nathan is Music Arts Director at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis. (I thought he was the son of an old friend of mine, but he steered me straight, he isn’t.) You need to listen to Nathan Partain, and I pray you get to sing some of his songs. You can read his lyrics, comments about his songs, and listen to them by going to this website.
Back to the song…the tune wasn’t that hard, it fit and felt like songs our church sings, and I already knew I liked his songs, so I jumped in full bore….and stopped. The song is about the feast, and those who celebrate with the king. We’re taking communion. I’m in. Stop. I may be here, but I don’t feel like I belong. Point on…
I am one of those, at the table not invited,
And to all here at the feast it’s very plain,
I cannot hide in etiquette or conversation,
But Christ himself sent word to me, and so I came.
How is it that someone who doesn’t know me can write a song and say what is in my heart, or should be? Nathan explains his reasoning behind this song by relating one of the key verses I need in my life.
1 Corinthians 1:26…Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.
My heart bristles at not being wise by human standards, nor influential, nor of noble birth, but foolish…I readily admit that at feasts my discomfort is real and deep. I may have learned how not to make a fool of myself, but inside, I am so out of place.
Why is it Lord I realize my self poverty before men yet want to claim make believe superiority. And to take it one step closer, how could I come to your table on my own qualifications?
Humbled. Astonished. Thankful—that you sent word to me, and so I came.