Even So
There is a hymn that I have loved since I was a child. It is an easy one to play, being in the key of C with a fairly simple chord progression. It was exhilarating to listen to when sung in church, the ladies singing the soprano line being echoed by three part harmony of the altos, tenor and bass. And then joining together in one unified exclamation.
I had an Adventures in Odyssey tape that told the story behind this hymn in dramatized form. It was a story of a man’s deep sorrow and grief and loss that met with his unwavering hope and trust. A successful lawyer in Chicago with a family of 5 children, the first tragedy to hit was losing property he had heavily invested in during the great Chicago fire. This was followed by the death of his only son, age 4. A few years later, after another hit in an economic downturn, this man and his family decided to travel to Europe to join famous preacher and friend Dwight L. Moody in his evangelism campaign. Business kept him behind an extra few days, but he sent his four daughters and wife ahead of him on the SS Ville du Havre. At some point in the crossing, a collision occurred. He received a telegram from his wife. “Saved alone....” As he travelled across to join his wife in England, near the spot his daughters drowned, he went up on deck and wept the words to this hymn. He sent the lyrics via telegram back to a friend in Chicago, Philip Bliss; and this hymn was born. The man was Horatio G. Spafford. The year was 1873. The hymn is “It Is Well With My Soul.” (Beautiful fact, Bliss titled the tune “Ville Du Havre” in honour of the ship that went down.)
Over the years, the truth found within those words have been a balm for my own sorrow filled and weary heart. And this last week has held sorrow and weariness. Once again, violence and anger and fear were the headlines that rang around the world as we read story after story of violence against Asians. As Bob and I processed together, I expressed that I was relieved that our girls did not look Asian. And immediately was filled with such grief that that was the case. My heart and mind have felt turmoil and unrest.
As I sought comfort in rereading the lyrics this morning, three things came to mind.
One
The imagery of water can not be missed in this hymn, and in particular the line “when sorrows like sea billows roll” stands out. Now, I’m not the sister that lives on a boat. But I have lived near the ocean long enough to have a great appreciate for stormy seas. I have been studying through the book of Mark, and there are a couple occurrences where the disciples are in a boat with a storm raging around them. In one, Jesus walks on water and is about to pass them when they notice him. He tells them to have courage, and when he climbs into the boat, the wind ceases. In the other, he is asleep, “in the stern, sleeping on the cushion.” (Mark 4:38) The disciples are terrified as the boat is about to be overcome by the storm. They wake him up (I imagine it wasn’t a gentle nudge), and this is what happens:
“He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Silence! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was a great calm. Then he said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” And they were terrified and asked one another: “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!” (Mark 4:39-41)
Who then is this? This Jesus that has authority and power over nature, over circumstance? This man who brings stillness, calm, and peace in the midst of chaos and fear? The answer is found in another scripture.
“He is here: the one who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, the one who makes the dawn out of darkness and strides on the heights of the earth. The Lord, the God of Armies, is His name.” (Amos 4:13)
He is the creator. He is the author of life. He is the morning light. And He is the Saviour.
In the midst of my own turmoil and unrest, when the waves threaten to sink my boat, I reach out to him with a less than gentle nudge and I hear him say to me: “why do you still carry fear? It’s ME. I’m here. I’ve got it under control. Trust me. Peace. Anne, let it be well with your soul.”
Two
In my hymn book, under the title of this hymn there is this verse:
“Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits.” (Ps 103:2)
Oh my soul. Don’t forget what He has done. If I open my bible and read that whole Psalm, I get a picture of what He has done. He has forgiven all my sin. He has redeemed my life: taken all the broken pieces and is making something new. He satisfies me with good things (spoiler alert: the best thing is himself). He executes justice for the oppressed. He is full of grace, compassionate and faithful in love, slow to anger even when I make mistake after mistake. Oh my soul. It is well to be near to Him. Spafford echos these truths: “Christ has regarded my helpless estate and hath shed His own blood for my soul,” and “My sin - not in part but the whole - is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more.” Anyone else have literal chills reading those words?
Three
The very last line of the hymn says “‘Even so’ - it is well with my soul.” Even so. When I think of what Spafford walked through and that he was still able to say ‘even so’… it is bringing tears to my eyes as I write.
Now, initially my mind went to the book of Daniel and three young men boldly declaring to the king that even if God did not deliver them from the fiery furnace, they still would not bow to worship any other. Their own storm and trial. They stayed steadfast and true in their faith. And while that is a powerful story and message in itself, I don’t think that’s the meaning behind this ‘even so.’
As I read the last verse of the hymn, I see a man who in his grief and sorrow, and yes, in his faith, wants nothing more than to see His Saviour face to face. He wants the full Shalom rest and peace for his soul that will come when Jesus returns and makes all things new. In Revelation 22:20 (I went back to the KJV), we read that “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Jesus in speaking to the author of Revelation says “I am coming soon. Quickly. All that I have just spoken about will come to pass.” And the author’s response is “Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” I think this is the ‘even so’ that Spafford wrote. It is a longing cry that I resonate with.
And So
This is the prayer that I have prayed many times throughout the past year, and again today.
Come quickly Lord.
And even as I wait,
Whatever may come,
Be the peace in my soul.
As I let go of my fear,
Let me not forgot all you have done.
It is well with my soul.
It Is Well With My Soul
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,
“Even so” - it is well with my soul.
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
Text: Horation G. Spafford
Music: Philip P. Bliss
Though this is at a Christmas concert and may feel a little like the wrong time of year, it is a beautiful retelling of this hymn, accompanied by a stunning choral arrangement. (And narrated by the Earl of Grantham, Robert Crowley of Downton Abbey). And one might argue with Easter just around the corner it is the perfect time for a Christmas throwback because what happened Good Friday and Easter Sunday is why Jesus was born…. but that’s for another day.