Hymn: “Before Your Cross, O Jesus” Author:  Ferdinand Q. Blanchard, 1920, alt. 1.     Before your cross, O Jesus, our lives are judged today; the meaning of our eager strife is tested by your way. Across our restless living the light streams from your cross, and by its clear revealing beams we measure gain and loss. 2.   The hopes that lead us onward, the fears that hold us back, our will to dare great things for God, the courage that we lack, The faith we keep in goodness, our love, as low or pure, On all, the judgment of the cross falls steady, clear, and sure. 3.     Yet humbly, in our striving, we rise to face its test. We strive the power to do your will as once you did it best. On us let now the healing of your great spirit fall, and make us brave and full of joy to answer to your call.

I might not always choose this hymn to share, but it spoke to me particularly in Lent.

In this hymn I am most lifted up by the final 4 lines. The thought of the spirit’s healing being poured out on us, bringing forth joy and boldness,  gives me such a full heart I can’t help but burst into a broad smile whether anyone is around or not!

The “measure” of “gain and loss” sounds potentially discouraging, but perhaps that’s a source of “the hopes that lead us onward” as well as “the fears that hold us back”. Those fears and that timidity! They are not God given.

Earlier in this Lent I heard and saw several references to our need for faith and courage in responding to the visions God has for us. It came up in the children’s lesson with Abraham and Sarah being good models in leaving their homeland for a place known to God but not to them. I also remember Reverend Wright challenging Beloveds in a sermon preached before the roof damaging storm, to listen for God’s message and  be prepared to step out of our comfort zone in order to fulfill the work God has for each of individually and for us collectively.

Thus I pray,

God, you know our strengths and weaknesses, reinforce and undergird the love we know, that all those whom we meet may also know that love and share it as they are called to do.

Amen

-Nancy Sales