What is your favorite hymn? Many churches are moving away from hymns and singing praise choruses instead. Not for me! There is a richness in hymns that can’t be matched. I find myself singing them in the shower, driving in my car, taking long walks. They continue to provide the right words for what I am thinking and often become the words to my prayers. My favorite hymn—there are so many—but “Shine, Jesus, Shine”, “Holy, Holy, Holy”, and “This is my Father’s World” come to mind.
My favorite line in a hymn comes from “What A Friend We Have in Jesus.” The line—“Oh what needless pain we bear, all because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.” So often when I find myself burdened with something, I quickly think of that line and realize how needless the burden is, especially if I turn it over to God in prayer.
Hymns can do that. They give us a theology in song, a message to breathe in and find words for. God loves our praise, and though I will never be asked to sing a solo, I will find my voice never sounds better than when one of the old hymns flows from my lips. One of the reasons I love the choir so much at CVBC is that so often their anthems are familiar songs. I quietly sing along and worship happens for me.
So, may we forever keep singing the hymns that move us so.
Brave Journey,
Bill
