Even so, it is well with my soul!
Some 150 years ago, a man by the name of Horatio Spafford penned the words to a now famous hymn, "it is well with my soul". This hymn, though written so long ago, has since gone on to be recorded by a few of today's popular Christian bands.
Like so many who have heard the words Horatio faithfully wrote, I was struck by something upon it's hearing. It is deeply soul stirring, troubling, and though at first I could not quite fathom why it challenged me, in this post I'm attempting to do so.
Here in this Hymn are the words of one like Job, who's life was beset by sorrow, yet finds the strength in Christ to testify "Whatever my lot, though hast taught me to say, even so, it is well with my soul"
For those who have not heard his testimony, perhaps you could take the time to read it below, then re-read the words he penned in the hymn.
In this hymn Horatio confesses truth as he has come to understand it. Not a God who meets the need of a man in every material sense as we know it, but rather that the knowledge of God and the hope in His justice and redemption grants him sufficient strength to overcome his sorrows.
Here in this hymn are the words of one who trusts his Saviour, in spite of lifes trials.
In our modern world we often tend to glorify God in our prosperity. We pray and give thanks to Him for His abundance. We testify of our material blessing and glorify His name and so often we expect Him to maintain our perfect Christian facade lifestyles, and should He do any less than this we would find ourselves ashamed, wondering what gross sin we've committed that we should be beset by such trials. Should He do any less than this, we would challenge Him as to whether He is being just on our part.
Today I believe the Christian faith often tends to portray God quite distinctly different from that of Horatio's understanding. Our modern God often says that you don't have to accept your lot, for God has a better material/carnal plan. You can change your life by t