Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory Lord of Love; Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above. Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the dark of doubt away; Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day! All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays; Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise. Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flowery meadow, flashing sea, Chanting bird and flowing fountain, Call us to rejoice in Thee. Thou art giving and forgiving. Ever blessing, ever blest, Wellspring of the joy of living, Ocean depth of happy rest! Thou our Father, Christ our Brother, All who live in love are Thine. Teach us how to love each other; Lift us to the joy divine. Mortals join the mighty chorus, Which the Morning Stars began. Father love is reigning o'er us, Brother love binds man to man. Ever singing, march we onward, Victors in the midst of strife; Joyful music lifts us sunward, In the triumph song of life.
Henry van Dyke, when asked about his hymn, replied: “These verses are simple expressions of common Christian feeling and desires in this present time-hymns of today that may be sung together by people who know the thought of the age, and are not afraid that any truth of science will destroy religion, or any revolution on earth overthrow the kingdom of heaven. Therefore this is a hymn of trust and joy and hope.”
Then Sings my Soul, Robert J Morgan
Trust and joy and hope: Are these transcendent truths not desperately needed in our world today? Suicide rates aren’t rising due to me not using someone’s “preferred pronoun.” Suicide rates are rising due to hopelessness and despair; overwhelming exhaustion and worry; lack of human contact and isolation; loss of connection. People need to know that God is near to the brokenhearted and that He saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). As God’s children we need to be disseminators of truth, light, joy and hope. We need to be ambassadors of the truth: sharing with others that there is Someone they can trust who will always speak the truth and who is, Himself, absolutely trustworthy
Listening – a tool that is no longer “in vogue” – could be all that it takes to save someone’s life. Why? Because it provides hope. Listening is an undeniable link to another human being. Listening well is akin to an adhesive connection – so powerful that it can restore meaning and significance to someone who is feeling lost and alone.
As state and federal government entities continue to dehumanize humanity, it is more vital than ever that we retain and mature in our humanity. To be human is to be like Christ. We need to be as human as possible, so that the perfect humanity of Jesus can be seen working in and through us. Our world needs to see Jesus and the only way they’re going to see Him is through us.
Let us leave our fears and anxieties at the foot of the cross in exchange for the joy and hope that only He can give.