It Is Well with My Soul
Our Ambassadors Advent Journey
Our Ambassadors are a loyal group of Lutherans. They amaze me with their fortitude. They amaze me even more with their spirituality and goodness.
They inspired our 52 visits. They go with open hearts, truly enjoying worship. They also feel true sadness and wonder at the way they have been treated within the church. They rarely talk about it. They are much more interested in the congregations we visit then the congregations have interest in us.
Keep in mind that The SEPA/Redeemer conflict is not a distant game to us to be trusted to others to solve. Eleven members of Redeemer stand to lose their homes and livelihoods because of this conflict which we entered with good grounds. The courts even agree on that. There was room for dispute. Had the church truly taken the time to hear and weigh the issues, a better solution would have been found that would have avoided five years of fighting in public. A few evenings or afternoons working with us would have pointed to so much good. Instead, the Church has opted for years of wrangling.
Sadly, the courts didn’t give the issues much time either. They thought it was the Church’s job.
I opened my email this morning and saw a note from one of our ambassadors — an 80-year-old woman, devoted to her church, who stands to lose her home and income because of synod’s greedy actions against our congregation. I opened it with concern.
There I saw the story behind the well-known hymn, “When Peace Like A River” or “It Is Well with My Soul.”
I knew this story, but it is good to hear it again, especially coming from someone facing similar circumstances.
As you read it remember that the problems facing Redeemer NEVER had to be and can still be curbed.
The song “It Is Well With My Soul” was written by a successful Christian lawyer. He had two daughters and a wife. The family planned a summer trip overseas. He had a lot of work to complete and sent his family ahead, planning to follow them on a later ship. While traveling, he heard the news that the ship his family had boarded had capsized. All souls lost.
On his return home, he found that his place of business had been destroyed by fire. Insurance ruled it an act of God and would not pay. Without a place to work, he soon lost his house. While pondering his plight, he turned to the Lord and penned the now familiar words— Whatever my Lord, you have taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.
What a testimony! Both from the hymn’s author, Horatio Spafford, and our Ambassador.
But acceptance of misfortune is not an excuse to take advantage of church members’ spirituality. We are supposed to help one another. This travesty can still be stopped.
Don’t offer to pray, although prayer is always welcome. It is so often an excuse for failure to act. Offer to do. (Click to tweet)
Our Ambassadors have decided to spend our Sundays enjoying seasonal spiritual offerings. Concerts. The Messiah, etc. It’s just too hard to worship with the Lutherans who are suing us. There’s a new year coming! We’ll be back!