My Father's World

Just a quick thought today...

I've been having a hard time the last day or so with feeling weighed down by the separation from family and friends and the state of the world. There is so much brokenness, hurt, fear, sickness, and destruction; it all feels like more than I want to deal with or bear.

Well, this week in the Intro to Christian Faith class I teach at the University I work for, my students listened to and reflected on the hymn "My Father's World." As I was reading their responses and listening to the song myself I became overwhelmed by the reminder that this world is, even in its brokenness, a gift from God. There is so much beauty, even when it feels hard to see.

If you haven't read or really paid attention to the lyrics before, I highly recommend doing that. They are absolutely beautiful, and the last verse specifically is a timely reminder that this world is God's and there is still much to be thankful for and to be glad about. Plus, at least for me, music always helps me reflect in a fresh way that reading often doesn't.

May this song be music to your soul today.

"This is my Father's world:

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong,

God is the Ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!

God reigns; let earth be glad!"