Colossians 3:1-2
I share my birthday with Helen Howarth Lemmel, although she was born a few years before me, in 1864! The daughter of a Methodist minister, at the age of 12 she emigrated from England with her family to America. As well as being a gifted singer, composer and music critic there, Helen studied music in Europe for a time.
After returning to America she gave concerts as part of the Chautauqua circuit, an adult education and social movement in the US that was founded by Methodists in the late 19th Century. She became a vocal music teacher at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, Illinois. After retirement, Helen moved to Seattle, Washington, where she was a member of the Ballard Baptist Church and provided musical support for the influential American evangelist Billy Sunday.
When she died, aged 97, Helen had written over 500 hymns and poems. Her most famous was written in 1918 and begins with the line ‘O soul, are you weary and troubled?’ It is said that a bible tract given to her by a missionary friend entitled “Focused” inspired her, particularly the words of its well-known refrain:
This ordinary woman, who died over a decade before I was born, has inspired who knows how many people to find a piece of heaven just where they are. In the middle of busy work day, a trying relationship, a desperate moment of fear or perhaps just a moment of reflection in their every-day life. So many times I’ve recalled these words and found myself transported from the cares of my earthly existence to be face to face with my Saviour.
Our verses of hope for this month are the words of the apostle Paul to the church at Colossae. He wrote to a church that was experiencing uncertainty and division. Some of the fellowship were being swayed by other religious and philosophical groups that argued as well as faith in Christ, you needed to follow certain horoscopes or special diets to reach perfection.
Paul reminds us that it is Jesus alone that has saved us, with a warning that while we may live here on earth, having accepted Christ, our thoughts, actions, and intentions should be firmly fixed in heaven. I suspect that focusing on Christ, keeping my eyes fixed on heavenly things, is a lifetime’s work. But I’m blessed that He is a gracious, patient teacher when I inevitably become distracted or diverted.
I find hope and contentment that amid all the busyness and distractions of the world today, I am the focus of a God who loves me beyond measure. My Father God wants more for me than I can ever conceive and walks with me daily to help discover what that is.
Take a moment to listen to Laura Daigle’s recent recording of Helen’s beautiful words.
Take time to turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Let the earth grow dim for a while and focus on Him.
Alex Mortimer
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