Great is thy faithfulness

Eldred Marshall, Artist-in-Residence, Associate Director of Music Ministries

During this season, we have been living Lent.

Stripped of our hustle and bustle, jealously guarding our health, we are waging a war against an invisible foe.

Despite all of our technology, our scientific advancements, and historical backlog, individually we are turning to the bare essence of what makes us human: faith, family and fun.

‘Fun’ can be anything from the simple joys of in-home music making to binge-watching the documentary about Zoos.

‘Family’ in this case is both blood and chosen.

I’m not going to lie: being stripped of ‘gigs’ and busyness has afforded me the opportunity to grow closer to relatives with whom I haven’t had a real conversation in decades, or ever.

Or to reconnect with old friends living and/or working in the eye of the storm. I know I’m not the only one.

But let me talk a little about the ‘faith’ part with the help of music. 

Great is Thy Faithfulness is one of the greatest hymns of our faith.

The text brings comfort and joy. The tune is instantly recognizable and lends itself to some deep instrumental improvisation.

Escape for five minutes into the arms of the Holy Spirit as you watch and listen.

By now, I’m sure you know someone who has the virus. This brings you unending sadness and anxiety.
 
Great is Thy faithfulness. 
 
The four walls of your home feel as though they’re caving in on you. But you still have a home.
 
Morning by morning new mercies I see. 
 
The economy we thought was humming along has come to a sudden crash. But you still have food on your table.
 
All that I need Thy hand hath provided. 
 
You feel isolated from everyone you love but deep down you know that you’ll see them again and that this will pass.
 
Great is Thy faithfulness – Lord unto me. 
 
Through it all, let’s depend on Jesus to get us through – emotionally, spiritually, as well as physically. Great is his faithfulness unto us.
 
Let’s continue to pray for those who are fighting this virus in any capacity: medical personnel, first responders, cleaning/maintenance crews, grocery store workers, as well as those who have contracted it.