Hymn: “Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross” – Fanny Crosby (1820-1915)
Tune: NEAR THE CROSS
During these weeks of Lent when the worship-focus in most churches is on the cross, it seems appropriate that my post for today takes up that theme, reminding myself and those of you who read these posts that our place is not distant from the cross and the man who hangs there. No, our place is NEAR the cross... in close proximity to the Christ of Calvary.
This was my mother’s favorite hymn. It served her well as a daily prayer for her life, and it continues to minister to me every time I hear it or sing it.
Growing up, I thought she loved it because it was all about the cross and the sacrifice of Christ upon that emblem of suffering and shame. As her life wound down, however, it seemed to me that what she found attractive about this Fanny Crosby text was this closing line of the refrain – its emphasis on “rest.”
“In the cross be my glory ever, till my ransomed soul finds rest just beyond the river.”
In the busy-ness of our lives, this may become one of our great spiritual desires: to slow down long enough to reflect adequately on our lives with uninterrupted introspection. In reality, we might better sing, “Till my WEARY soul finds rest,” or better yet “my hurried LIFE.”
For a semi-retired person, I am way too busy – and much of it still involves ministry, just through different channels than before. And quite frankly, my “hurried life” is seeking some rest. I could use a time-out. How about you? I bet this is a common denominator for most of us.
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