In 1773 an English poet named William Cowper wrote a poem entitled,
“Light Shining Out of Darkness.” He wrote the piece as he was coming
out of a deep depression that included his own attempted suicide.
I bet you know the first lines of his poem. They are these: “God works in
a mysterious way; his wonders to perform.” The rest of the phrase
continues, “He plants his feet in the sea and rides the storm.”
Cowper’s poem became a hymn.
The hymn is long-forgotten, or at least unsung by most folks, but not
the thought of the first phrase. It has become a frequently spoken
expression in our common language. I have said it over and over to
myself in recent weeks as the world and our country changes around us
with astonishing speed.
As the pandemic continues to ravage the world and medical/scientific
minds work with brilliance and skill to find a vaccine as well as effective
treatments, I think, “God works in a mysterious way, (God’s) wonders
to perform.”
I am so grateful this is so because much of our elected leadership – and
too much of the public response – is seemingly indifferent to the
science, the advocated prevention behaviors, and even though
hundreds of thousands world-wide have died…..THE THREAT.
As tens of thousands of our fellow citizens march for police reform in
the streets of our cities in response to the murder, at the hands of
police, of another black man, my response is in part, “God works in a
mysterious way, (God’s) wonders to perform.”
Indeed, after centuries of white privilege and systemic racial prejudice –
acted out in so many ways, but certainly in far too much “policing” in our country – it is nothing short of astonishing to witness the
movement of God’s spirit of justice working among us in this wide-
spread and world-wide way.
There is just no other way for me, as a man of faith, to take in the social
change we are seeing (as well as experiencing) and THE SPEED AT
WHICH IT IS OCCURRING.
In addition, in our time when we have seen and experienced the
abolishment of so many things once held sacred; in our time when we
have seen and experienced so many things once hoped for and worked
for to be profaned by what we thought was a growing social
indifference; God’s spirit is moving mysteriously among us performing
wonders resulting from a hunger for mercy, tolerance, justice and
regard for one another.
Even though there are so many who do not recognize, or in any way
acknowledge this spiritual truth that is taking place beyond our
existential understanding, GOD IS MOVING AMONG US…ANYWAY.
Cowper’s poem continues. “Deep in unfathomable mines of never
failing skill; (God) treasures up bright designs, and works (God’s)
sovereign will.”
I pray it is so.
I TRUST it is so.
BECAUSE… beyond all cause for ANY depression or despair, this belief
in the presence and moving power of God among us makes sense of
me… and you…and all others…and of these chaotic times in which we
are living.