“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” -Philippians 4:8
During our Wednesday Night Alive class, we had a brief conversation about the gift of music, and especially the hymns of the church. We talked about how hymns have the ability to lift a person’s spirit. They teach us about God. This powerful music shares the great promises of our faith in such a way that it goes beyond our minds and anchors deep into our souls. Hymns are so significant to our faith.
One of my favorite hymns is, “I Love to Tell the Story.” This beautiful song is filled with language that makes the love of God and our connection with Jesus seem so special. As you sing through the lyrics you hear the joy and passion that Jesus invokes in the person who has heard the great story of His love. We are reminded of His wonderful works, done while he was on earth. This hymn lifts my spirits every time I sing it.
The writer of this beautiful hymn is Arabella Katherine Hankey. It was published as a two-part poem in 1866, The Story Wanted and The Story Told. Known by her middle name, Katherine was not a preacher, great hymn writer, or educated theologian. Katherine wrote this poem after she had experienced a lengthy illness. The lyrics reflect the joy she found as she searched for and encountered the love of God, found in the Bible.
Each time I sing this song it reminds me of how the story of God’s love, revealed in Jesus, has shaped my life. The story of God has helped to reshape me into the person that God created me to be. I also love to share the story because it made such a difference in my life. It continues to make a difference in my life as I immerse myself in the good news of Jesus. The more I read of God’s love, the more I want to know about Him and grow in my faith.
The story of God, found in the scriptures, is a life-giving and hope-filled story that has captured my imagination and transformed my life for the better. This is why we are reading through the Bible this year. It is God’s story. It is our story. A story of love.
I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love;
I love to tell the story, because I know ’tis true,
It satisfies my longings as nothing else would do.
I love to tell the story,
’Twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story
Of Jesus and His love.
-Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
