"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Sunday, 13 November 2016 “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (ELW 763

"The God Pause Daily Devotional" from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Sunday, 13 November 2016 “My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (ELW 763
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“My Life Flows On in Endless Song” (ELW 763
1. My life flows on in endless song;
above earth's lamentation,
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.
Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
2. Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?
Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
3. What though my joys and comforts die?
The Lord my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.
Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
4. The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!

How can I keep from singing?
Refrain:
No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I'm clinging.
Since Christ is Lord of heaven and earth,
how can I keep from singing?
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Rev. Robert Lowry published today's hymn following the Civil War, a most divisive time in U.S. history. Today our country, including the community where I work, remains divided by enormous disparities caused by injustice. This can breed devastating results. We increasingly recognize our need to embrace lament, knowing God welcomes us to voice our daily discontent and, more crucially, to cry out in our deepest despair, "Why, Lord? No more, Lord!"
Even as we recognize our need to lament, can our songs also rise above it? Can they declare Malachi's words of healing wings and the psalmist's joy over God's marvelous works? Can we share the Thessalonians' call to do what is right? Do our songs include the words and wisdom Christ promises he gives us? As we strive for reconciliation, let our songs endlessly rise above earth's lamentation to share the praise and hope that hails God's new creation.
Dearest Lord, praise to you, our rock. Please hear our laments! Forgive our stormy strife with each other. Inspire our lives to flow on in endless songs that share the calm, peace, hope and joy you offer to all of your creation. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Partner Engagement, Redeemer Center for Life & Redeemer Lutheran Church, Minneapolis; Adjunct Instructor, Department of Social Work, Augsburg College, Minneapolis 

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