Wesley Week: Thank God for the Wesleys

Life is full of the endless rotation of politicos, Republicans, Democrats and Independents. Flurries of scandals seep from the crevices of human fallibility filling headline news outlets. One disease is under control and another sneaks in like Carl Sandburg’s fog, on "little cats feet." And, the joys and frustrations of a favorite sports team winning and losing may cause one to feel as a bobbing cork on ocean swells. Restlessness is a too frequent companion.

Last night I was traveling home from a speaking engagement in heavy weekend traffic. (Don’t go anywhere near the Dover Racetrack during race week or navigate US Route One when beach weekenders head North!) Two preaching assignments and more than 200 miles in the car left me exhausted. The joy and energy with God’s people and sharing the passion of my life slipped away as the miles piled up.

Then I tuned the radio to an all-Gospel satellite station and heard a wonderful presentation of a Wesleyan Hymn. At first the familiar tune and lyrics seemed out of place. Resurrection Sunday has passed (Alas, the congregation we worshiped with didn’t sing it!) and "Christ the Lord is Risen Today" is a morning song! As the tune and lyrics unfolded, like pleats spreading as draperies are drawn, the Holy Spirit lifted, strengthened, encouraged and renewed my spirit so affected by feelings, fatigue, faults and feeble faith. As the three century-old poem was sung the message quieted the spirit of a weary preacher prone to bobbing in futility when faced with roiling uncertainties, chronic diseases, lingering disappointments. Faith began to move in, at first with "little cats feet," and then roared with leonine boldness! The hymn was sung in less than five minutes but swept up on the shores of my soul with tidal force.

Christ the Lord is risen today, Alleluia!
Earth and heaven in chorus say, Alleluia!
Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!
Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!
Love's redeeming work is done, Alleluia!
Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!
Death in vain forbids him rise, Alleluia!
Christ has opened paradise, Alleluia!
Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!
Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!
Once he died our souls to save, Alleluia!
Where's thy victory, boasting grave? Alleluia!
Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!
Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!
Made like him, like him we rise, Alleluia!
Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!
Hail the Lord of earth and heaven, Alleluia!
Praise to thee by both be given, Alleluia!
Thee we greet triumphant now, Alleluia!
Hail the Resurrection, thou, Alleluia!
King of glory, soul of bliss, Alleluia!
Everlasting life is this, Alleluia!
Thee to know, thy power to prove, Alleluia!
Thus to sing, and thus to love, Alleluia!

Since I was alone in the car, with the exception of the Holy, I dared to sing with the recording artists . . . a capella . . . with enough off-key sharps and flats to fill an orchestra’s library. The Almighty visited and accepted my worship. It was Easter, Christmas, Ascension Day, Passover and Pentecost rolled into one! "King of Glory" made "soul of bliss" cruising South on Route 1 on a rainy night!