I was awake very early this Easter morning, surfing the channels. I have my own TV watching habits: start at 872 and press the channel down button (my thumb doesn't have reach too far). Stop at Nickelodean and catch an 80's sitcom, Animal Planet (chockful of snakes this morning...) maybe AMC (too many commercials), skip all the sports channels, and land on Style and E!. Rarely do I continue to GMC; but today, since there were so many infomercials, I landed on 825.
Im not crazy about Country music, really don't like videos in general (I like to interpret my own music), and avoid GMC. But I like Alan Jackson: a Country wordsmith. When I saw this video announced, I thought, "Wow, how could he have written a song or made a video with the same title as the universally loved song." I was really relieved when I realized, it was in fact Alan Jackson singing the simple tune.
"Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound." We've heard or even sang this song in every style imaginary: off key in church, with a bluegrass twang, even with a 13 year old angel singing with a full orchestra. Funerals, bagpipes, even as a hiphop arrangement. I have been moved by this song, its tearjerked my emotions occasionally, but it was really only today I understood the lyrics.
I have not seen the movie, nor read anything about the song's origin; but I do know it was written as a voice against slavery. Alan Jackson cites John Newton as the songwriter. Alan sang the entire song, gradually adding instruments and building to a fuller finish. The lyrics are beautiful:
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How preciuos did that Grace apear
The hour I first believed.
Through many dangers, toils, and snares
I have already come;
"Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
The anvil had fallen from the sky. I was hit upside the head with understanding. I understood Grace. On this morning of celebrating the Ressurection, I had been led to understand God's wonderous gift of Grace.
Simply stating, "I accept Jesus Christ as my personal savior" is all I had to say to join a church. Although I cannot begin to address all the questions I had (and still have), it was understood that I understood Grace.
I didn't.
As I watched this video, I was reminded that everyday is a resurresction of sorts. From the moment when we say the Prayer of Salvation, our faith dies a little each day. We are human. Dangers, toils, and snares get us at every part of our lives. Grace is knowing Salvation is born anew every day. "We've no less days to sing God's praise than when we've first begun."
He is amazing. He is risen. And today I look forward to cherising Grace, by believing again and again.
Happy Easter.
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