When it comes to hymns, I have always been a traditionalist, preferring the security of the old hymns that I learnt in childhood. But the Covid restrictions in 2020 changed the way in which I looked at hymns. Finding that we couldn’t sing in church services it forced me to think differently, and look wider. Bringing on-line hymns and modern worship songs into the church, certainly widened my knowledge of ‘hymns’. Searching the internet, I found a whole new list of current songwriters, such as Matt Redman and Chris Tomlin, previously unknown to me, and a whole new world has opened to me in my worship.
One of my favourite modern hymns is ‘Once Again’ composed by Matt Redman in 1995. I say ‘modern’ even though it’s now 28 years old and appears in the 2005 version of Mission Praise! In this hymn the words have depth and as we journey through Lent it reminds us to prepare ‘once again’ for the time Jesus gave His life for us.
Right at the beginning of the first verse the hymn pulls us in, encouraging us to approach it with a contemplative frame of mind, asking us to focus on, and think about the sacrifice Jesus made, giving up everything for us. It puts into words many of our questions as to why He did what He did – giving His Life for us all. He gave the ultimate - his life.
The second verse of the hymn addresses exaltation and Jesus’ place in heaven, as King of Kings and King within Heaven and earth. It also reminds us that at some point at the end of our earthly life we will join Him in heaven and stand before God. Wow!
But it is also a reminder that we shouldn’t waste the time we have in this current life to do our best to live as He wants us to live, carrying out His work here on earth, looking to Him for guidance and taking time to bask in His grace. Giving thanks for everything we have and remembering to praise Him for the past, the present and the future.
The chorus reminds us of, and confirms to us, that during Lent we need to set time aside to reflect and to grow in our faith. To renew our commitment, remembering what this season is about, and the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.
“For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life”. John 3:16
Even if we don’t think about it at any other time of the year Lent and Easter is a time that draws us in and forces us to confront these big questions, and to take on board the enormity of the situation Jesus faced all those thousands of years ago.
Last year, for the first time at my church in Padfield, Glossop we displayed a large wooden cross outside the church, and by its very presence it compelled us all, each time we approached and left church to consider the enormity and depth of God’s love and commitment to us all.
Kathy Shaw
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