Skip to main content

Through the Narrow Door - Psalm of Ascent

Coming from the study of the Psalms of Ascent - this song came about during the beginnings of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a reflection of where we had found ourselves and the realities we were facing. In a time of isolation it was important to reflect and name where we were. Alone, apart, confused, desperate, and scared. In this time, reading the Psalms of ascent was a comfort. Psalms 120-134 focus on the hope that is provided as the community of Israel returns to worship in the temple together. They provide a hopeful chorus of verses that show the hopeful, supportive, ever present nature of God. In the time of isolation God spoke through these Psalms and this song was born.

 


When we feel the most vulnerable, alone and hopeless we try to find the first thing to comfort us or numb us. For some of us it’s a flickering screen, for some of us it’s a substance. God calls out to us through the ancient songs of David to remind us that even though these idols are ever present and easy to see, it is the invisible presence of the Holy Spirit that is our hope. The Holy Spirit of Jesus carries us through, give us a home, identity and new life. The peace that I so desperately desired in this time was closer than my breath.


Where does my help come from?


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

You'll Never Walk Alone

  In recent weeks I keep coming back to the song "You'll Never Walk Alone" originally by Gerry and the Pacemakers but covered countless times by the like so of Elvis and even Marcus Mumford (seriously check that cover out).  The transformative tune was brought to my attention by the documentary "This is Football" on Prime video.  In the film we learn that this unifying modern hymn is the club song of Liverpool (an english football [aka Soccer] club) that unites the fan base at every match.  In a beautiful display of the power of the lyrics, Rwandan victims of their country's genocide, and now orphans, have used this song as a mantra for life and have found love and community around the song and the fandom of the Liverpool squad. Think of that -- Orphans of a genocide living the truth, "you'll never walk alone".  Love it. This song so beautifully illustrates the persistence of an ever present community that is always with us when we carry hope i...

Christian you say?

  It seems like everywhere we look we see folks using the word "Christian" to further their agenda.  It is used to legitimize arguments throughout many spectrums of belief and many arenas of influence.  Politics, businesses, social norms, governments, ideological debates, music, books, TV, charities all use the label Christian as a sort of flag to further their cause.  I don't choose the flag metaphor lightly. When we use the Christian label and/or Jesus name to further our personal causes or beliefs we are buying into the idea of Jesus as a political messiah.  This of course is not much different than the 1st century Jews idea of the Messiah.  A militaristic savior to conquer the oppressors (or opponents) for their own good and prosperity.  If you are on the side of the messiah in this scenario this sounds really good.  There is just one problem; Jesus never came to be this type of messiah.   When we read in the Gospels about who Jesus ...