I love poetry! There, it’s in the open. Ever since I was a pupil in high school I’ve loved the meaning and rhythm of words. For me to sit and read poetry is still one of my guilty pleasures, whether it be Shelly, Keats or modern poetry like Holly McNish & Benjamin Zephaniah or even Pam Aryes.
This week I would like you to read some of my favorite hymns and worship songs as poetry, without the internal tune going along. Change the phrasing, change the beat, and roll them around your head.
I learnt a while back that by doing this, some of my favourite worship songs became even more meaningful and sometimes very, very personal. So let’s start with a classic!
Amazing Grace (how sweet the sound) that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now, I see.
’Twas Grace that taught my heart to fear, and Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear, the hour I first believed!
Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come.
’Tis Grace has brought me safe thus far, and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be, as long as life endures.
When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise, than when we've first begun.
Be honest, how many times did you have to say that in your head without a roaring bagpipe tune going on in your head at the same time?
It took me a while to disconnect the words and the tune, but, and here is my epiphany, when I did, I opened up to what Grace actually meant to me.
I used to take Grace for granted, well, actually, ironically, that’s what it is. Despite all and I mean ALL my failings as an imperfect man, God sees past all of this and decides to save me by Grace alone.
“If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking” to steal words from David Crowder
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" Ephesians 2:8-10 [NIV]
Steve Fogo
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