June 21, 2020
Is it well with your soul?
- Philippians 4:4-9
- Rev. Carol McDonald
On Wednesday, June 10, Ruth, John, and I met to plan worship for the remaining weeks of summer 2020. We turned first to the proposed lectionary texts. To be completely honest … the suggestions were overwhelming to us – particularly the stories of Matthew’s gospel which we have explored twice in 3 years and the ponderous theological ramblings of the apostle Paul’s letter to the Romans. After some brainstorming, we decided to select 12 hymns, songs, and spiritual songs found in our Glory to God hymnal … hymns with texts that speak especially to this time in the life of our world, our nation, and our congregation.
This focus on hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs – each paired with an appropriate scripture passage -- feels so relevant for this time in our life together … for often, when spoken words fail us, the text of a familiar song pops into our minds and escapes our lips – whether or not we can even carry a tune.
In January, 2014, my husband, David, spent 9 days at Methodist Hospital between his accident and his death. As I sat with him in intensive care, I again and again sang hymns, praying he could hear my prayers even though he could not respond. It was during those long days that the hymn we know best as “It Is Well with My Soul” – was imprinted on my heart, and in my mind … and deep within my soul.
“When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll, whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it Is well with my soul.”
And oh that amazing refrain … I sang it over and over again in January of 2014 – not only by that hospital bed, but as I tried to sleep each night, as I walked one step at a time through each day: “It is well … it is well … With my soul!” And I have sung it countless times in all the months since!
The hymn’s author, Horatio G. Spafford, was a Presbyterian from Chicago. He was a successful lawyer who counted among his friends the famous evangelist Dwight L. Moody. Spafford invested heavily in real estate along Lake Michigan’s shoreline and lost everything in the great Chicago fire of 1871. He had also lost his only son a short time before the fire.
Desiring rest and renewal for himself, his wife, and their 4 daughters, Spafford arranged for the family to join Dwight L. Moody for one of his evangelism campaigns in Europe. The trip was planned for November of 1873. Last minute business developments kept Spafford in Chicago, but his wife and daughters travelled as scheduled. On November 22, their ship, the SS Ville du Havre was struck by an English ship and sank in 12 minutes. Several days later, the survivors reached land and Mrs. Spafford cabled her husband, “Saved. Alone.” Spafford left Chicago immediately and wrote his hymn as he approached the area of the ocean where he believed his daughters had died.
“It is well, it is well, with my soul!”
I wonder if Horatio Spafford remembered Paul’s letter to the Philippians as he wrote his powerful hymn. Paul is writing from prison – having angered the government authorities for his bold proclamation of the gospel. The church at Philippi, founded by women, was a special congregation for Paul. If you read all of his letters, you will see he is most gracious and compassionate with the Philippian community. Throughout the letter is Paul’s strong conviction that focusing on God is the absolute best remedy when worldly fears and concerns threaten to overwhelm and consume us. Paul’s directives In our passage for today … rejoicing in the Lord always, revealing gentleness to everyone, taking everything to God in thankful prayer … are the only ways we will ever know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding … the peace that will open our lips to sing, “It is well with my soul.”
So, my friends, how is it with your soul, today? When, in recent days and weeks, has an absolute focus on God sustained your life?
Was it well with your soul when a loved one graduated with joy from high school or college in this strange season? Was it well with your soul when a friend, family member, or other loved one recovered from a serious illness – perhaps even COVID-19? Was it well with your soul when you completed your 15th Zoom meeting of the week and could finally relax? Was it well with your soul when you talked or Facetimed with your children, grandchildren, or dear friends? Was it well with your soul when you finally got a good night’s sleep?
I pray it is well with your soul to be part of this community known as Northminster Presbyterian Church – where we rejoice in the gifts of our children and youth as they offer Children’s Time messages each week … where we hear the gospel proclaimed by solo singing voices and by sharing the symbols of bread and cup wherever we find ourselves … where gentleness is shared in supportive phone calls and texts and written notes … where more and more of us are ready and willing to speak up against systemic racism and work together to determine how we can encourage and empower and support change in our community and in our world. May it be well with your soul!
I pray it was well with our nation’s soul when we learned that, in memory of Breonna Taylor, the Louisville, KY, city council unanimously passed Breonna’s Law – banning no-knock search warrants – so that Breonna, who saved lives as an EMT, can continue to save lives even after her untimely death. I pray it was well with our nation’s when we heard the emotional words of George Floyd’s brother, Rodney, at the Houston memorial service: “Everyone’s going to remember you, big brother. You’re going to change the world” – change that has already begun. May it be well with our nation’s soul!
This hymn, and Paul’s words to the Philippians, have been especially poignant and relevant this week – and they have particularly guided me these days. For this was the week of the 5th anniversary of the Mother Emmanuel shooting of 9 Black Christians in Charleston, South Carolina. This was the week of the 4th anniversary of the Pulse Nightclub shooting of 49 LGBT children of God in Orlando, Florida. This was the week of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth, the date when the news of the emancipation proclamation finally reached Galveston, Texas. This is the week leading up to the re-nomination and re-election of the first Black Stated Clerk in the history of the Presbyterian Church (USA). And just last evening, a Native American Ruling Elder was elected for the first time in the history of our denomination to the office of Co-Moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly – her Co-Moderator partner a Black pastor from the state of Alabama. In all of this, I hear the words of the apostle Paul and I want to sing with gusto, “It is well with my soul.” Through all of this, the all-encircling, all-inclusive love of God has sustained, and is sustaining, my soul … I know the Lord is near … and I am convinced beyond all measure that the peace that passes all understanding is even now guarding my heart and my mind in Christ Jesus. “It is well with my soul!”
And, so, my friends, what about you? How is it with your soul? As you reflect on the days of this strange season, as you look to whatever lies ahead, my deepest prayer is that you “rejoice in the Lord always; again I say Rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to everyone. Take everything to God in thankful prayer.” And may God’s amazing love … God’s all-encompassing peace … guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus – today, tomorrow, and always. May it be well with your soul! For the Lord is near! In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Resources:
* Working Preacher.org – commentary on Philippians 4: 4-7 by Christian Eberhart and Michael Joseph Brown
* Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church – History of Hymns