Amazing Grace
This week I picked up a book that looked at the story behind the song “Amazing Grace”. This started me on a journey…. And what a journey….. I read about John Newton, and then his relationship with William Wilberforce….. Then ending of slavery and how this song as impacted multiple communities ever since…… I have had stops in the following ports…
From starting with the original lyrics…… Digesting the journey, reality, complexity, and transformation of John Newton’s life (from a life of being a poor nobody in a world of vice, to captive servant, to slave trader, to a husband, a man rediscovering God, and then all the way to a minister for the Lord strive to honor Christ)…. Following Newton to his introduction to a young man who would come into massive wealth named William Wilberforce. Seeing William Wilberforce take his own twisting journey to find himself and become convinced of the reality of who Jesus Christ is and then reconnect with Newton later. Then to find that William goes on to his calling to fight against slavery. Curiosity led me to check out some documentaries and see the backdrop of this song that is woven into the fabric of cultures across the nation. I watched videos of churches and communities where they were mostly black members and then those with mostly white members both singing this same song. I am now rereading a book my father gave me long ago called “What’s so Amazing about Grace” by Philip Yancey. And I expect to follow it next by another book he gave me called “The Jesus I Never Knew” also by Philip Yancey. There are so many layers to this, that have and are speaking to me…. But one thing is striking my heart, if we humbled ourselves and dropped our pride and then embraced grace as these people did and are, many of the troubles we struggle with in our lives, our country, and in our hearts would find a path to healing and to the Lord. I know that I need to remember, that I am a wretch, I need embrace Gods perspective and be realistic about who I am, and see how much I need the Grace, Hope, and Love (and Forgiveness) the Lord Jesus Christ my Savior.
As I listened to the sermon today, I find that keeping this perspective is connected to me to staying in touch with the Lord (spending time with Him) and in sync with the Him. And if I do so, I will be able to hear His voice and follow his lead, find His Joy, Peace, Hope, and Love, and in the end become the man He envisioned I can become…
John 10:1-20 NIV
“Very truly I tell you Pharisees, anyone who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them. Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
So with that I invite anyone interested to read these lyrics, check out the stories of John Newton and William Wilberforce. Maybe even check out the following videos….
https://youtu.be/wKH1lkUjAgA (This video is a bit rough and old, and can be slow, but I appreciated it as I sat and thought about it a bit)
Amazing Grace
Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound) That sav’d a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, Was blind, but now I see.
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, And grace my fears reliev’d; How precious did that grace appear The hour I first believ’d!
Thro’ many dangers, toils, and snares, I have already come; ‘Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promis’d good to me, His word my hope secures; He will my shield and portion be As long as life endures.
Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail, And mortal life shall cease; I shall possess, within the veil, A life of joy and peace.
The earth shall soon dissolve like snow, The sun forbear to shine; But God, who call’d me here below, Will be forever mine.
John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779