A Little Dorian Mode Going On

– Ponderings:

We started a new sermon series yesterday called “Real Faith – Not for Sale.” Using a 70s commercial as our teaser, we’ll contrast the commercial’s message with the message of one of Jesus’ parables. What has surprised me has been the number of commercials I remember … many word for word. I would’ve guessed that I remember very few, but get me started and out they come!

The same is true with many songs I learned in Sunday school. Jesus Loves Me (This I Know). This Little Light of Mine. The B-I-B-L-E (Yes, That’s the Book for Me). I can sing songs about Abraham, Jericho, David, and Zacchaeus. What songs do you remember?

And, it doesn’t stop there. My early theology came from many of the hymns we sang in church. Many of the words we read in the Bible are believed to have been hymns composed for worship and used to communicate deep thoughts about faith. We know that’s true of many of the Psalms, but it is true of other passages as well. 1 John 2:12-14 is one example. We don’t hear it in English but in Greek, the words are lyrical.

“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven on account of his name. I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young people, because you have conquered the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young people, because you are strong and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. The world and its desire are passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.”

Imagine a small group of believers, gathered in a home, perhaps by candlelight, singing these words together. Children in the faith, young warriors against evil, seasoned fathers and mothers who have walked long with God — all lifting their voices in one song, affirming who they are in Christ.

Here is how the hymn might have been sung (I haven’t figured out a tune – I’ve got a little Dorian mode going on in my brain around 70 bpm — D – E – F – G – G – F – E – D):

Children of God, rejoice!
Your sins are forgiven on account of his name.
Little ones, sing!
You know the Father’s love.

Fathers of the faith, arise!
You know him who is from the beginning.
Mothers of wisdom, lift your voice!
You walk with the Ancient of Days.

Young warriors, stand strong!
You have overcome the evil one.
Brothers and sisters, be bold!
The Word of God lives in you!

Children and parents, one family, one song:
We are forgiven.
We have overcome.
We know the Holy One!

Scripture transforms us when it is internalized in our hearts; when the words of God are as familiar to us as the songs we sang as children. When Scripture is in our hearts, it can’t be taken away, and we can lean into it when times get hard. What do you think?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for meeting me where I am. Whether I come to you as a child, a fighter, or a seasoned traveler, you welcome me and remind me that I belong. Let your truth be the song that carries me today. Amen.