23. It is well with my soul
I grew up in a church pew.
From Vacation Bible School to playing drums in the praise band to eventually preaching sermons and leading a youth group, much of my life experience has been influenced by the church.
I've certainly had my doubts over the years and don't currently attend a weekly service, but I still have my bibles, am currently reading a book written by a Orthodox Christian monk and still love the 1871 hymn, It is well with my soul.
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
If you've never heard it I recommend you seek it out. It is a sobering song about finding contentment in the midst of loss. The cool thing about hymns is that they are often dripping with scriptural wisdom.
The reason I decided to include this as a life lesson is because so much of life is outside of our control.
I can be as ambitious and disciplined as I want. As the proverb says, “time waits for no man”.
So I remember this hymn from time to time. I call to mind the funerals I have attended where it has played. And the scriptures its poetry works to remind us of, so that we may find some light in the midst of darkness.
Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
James 1:2-4
