When we sing a hymn or anthem sometimes it brings to mind memories of a previous singular occasion when we sang that particular sacred song. The hymn triggers memories because it was sung during a time of stress or joy or for a special event, some defining moment in time.
For me one of those moments came during a Sunday evening public lecture. At the end of the Bible talk, an announcement was made. A sister who we knew very well, who was a member of another meeting, had lost her husband (not a brother) to cancer that afternoon. Our mind was filled with memories of our dear sister in her moment of grief and loss and the extra sadness of losing a life partner that had not embraced the hope of the Gospel. To conclude the lecture the hymn was sung, “O God, our help in ages past.” The words of that hymn had extra-special meaning and poignancy because of the news we had just heard. Sadly the sister’s husband did not personally hope for an “…eternal home” in God’s Kingdom and he had not chosen to make God his “…hope for years to come.” The words of the hymn struck me in a way they had not before. Now when that hymn is sung memories flood my mind of that moment in time.
Have you had a similar experience? Does a hymn or anthem hold special memories for you? Or does it bring to mind an event that had an impact on your thinking or your direction in life? We invite you to share with us a particular hymn or anthem that impacted your thinking, creating a defining moment or future direction in your life. Please write and share your experience with the readers of the Tidings Magazine.
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