On Ash Wednesday, I played “The Wayfaring Stranger”, a beautiful folk song/hymn from the 1800s, with roots back to the 1600s in Germany. It is said to be based on Psalm 119: 19, I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me! and other Scriptures about sojourning, traveling with the Lord in this life. It’s a beautiful, haunting melody and has been a favorite of mine since childhood. I think it fits my sense of Lent as a time of being on pilgrimage with Jesus, not knowing where we are going in the short run but knowing the destination is with Him.
There are many verses, building on the journey. Here’s the first:
I’m just a poor, wayfaring stranger,
Traveling through this world of woe
And there’s no sickness, toil or danger
To that fair land, to which I go.
I’m going there to meet my Savior
I’m going there, no more to roam
I’m just a-going over Jordan
I’m just a-going over home.
For my Lenten practice this year I hope to focus on four things:
- pray every day;
- play music every day;
- write every day; and
- be healthy.
I want to pray, play, write and be a better steward of the body the Lord has given me, so I can be more faithful to serve the Lord and serve others. I’m called to service these days in various ministries, and I want to be in closer touch with the One who called me.
Frank
