In church today we sang “Soon and Very Soon” the
lyrics are:
(text and
music by Andrae Crouch, adapted by Wm. F. Smith)
1. Soon and very soon, we are going to see the
King (3 times)
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! We're going to see the
King.
2. No more crying there, we are going to see
the King (3 times)
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
3. No more dying there, we are going to see
the King (3 times)
Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! We're going to see the King.
(c) 1976,
Bud John Songs, Inc.
(Source)
This hope, this positive expectation, is
foundational to a healthy life. Even in
old age (as I am personally approaching age 70), we can be filled with hope and
promise. None of us are “has-been’s” to
be relegated to a heap of hopeless trash.
The old cannot be judged as hopeless, nor for that matter can the young
who can be seen as unworthy because of lack of life experiences. All humanity at any moment on earth can, with
the hope of eternal life, sing together “Soon and Very Soon.” Therefore even if faith is a delusional
device, it is preferable to cynicism and despair.
Lesson Two
In Sunday school we read a lesson—“Staying in Tune”
Upper Room 03/19/12). This lesson stressed the idea that it takes
work to stay in tune with faith and life principles. We discussed as music is only possible if
instruments (such as a guitar) are kept in tune, likewise successful living
requires that we take the effort to keep as vital disciplines the virtues of
love, kindness, mercy, justice, righteousness, etc.
Lesson Three
In Sunday school we addressed the need to speak “truth
in love” not only to others when we see hypocrisy or shortcomings in others,
but equally essential to honestly address with love hypocrisy or shortcomings
in ourselves. Courage is necessary in
both instances and represents a foundational demand of love. In this regard, we should not treat others or
ourselves with the callousness of unconcerned dismissal.
Lesson
Four
We discussed the nature of grace and forgiveness
as redemptive. It opens doors rather
than closing them. It shows trust in others. In human behavior, grace is a more powerful and effective change agent than tit for tat retribution.
