Gill writes:
We’re coming to the end of January – the month with at least 60 days in it or at least, that’s what it feels like. It’s also, for many, a month of clean slates and new starts; a month where some of us try to change habits and behaviours to live better lives and to be better people. For Methodists, January often brings Covenant Services – and in particular, the Covenant Prayer which you can find at the bottom of this post.
This yearly act in Methodism enables a revisiting and a renewal of commitment to relationship with God. The ebb and flow of life means that our relationships ebb and flow too – including the one with God. For many, the Covenant Service can feel like a harbour in the tempest – life can be choppy and frightening at times so setting anchor for a while in a safe, calm harbour gives us the chance to return and reconnect with God
I saw the sun begin to dim
And felt that winter wind
Blow cold
A man learns who is there for him
When the glitter fades and the walls won’t hold
‘Cause from then, rubble
What remains
Can only be what’s true
If all was lost
There’s more I gained
‘Cause it led me back
To you
These are the opening words of the final song of ‘The Greatest Showman’ and to me, the whole song is about coming back to what is important and making a commitment to value it more and never take it for granted. It’s the point in the film where Barnum realises that he is nothing without all those people around him – who support him, challenge him & encourage him to be who he is.
Although the Covenant Prayer is a one-one interaction with God, it’s also an act of community too. For our relationship with God to grow and flourish, we need each other to help nurture our gifts and graces – just like Barnum realises in this song. It’s a public declaration to say ‘it’s not just about me, it’s about you too’. Without you, I am not me.
And from now on
These eyes will not be blinded by the lights
From now on
What’s waited ’til tomorrow starts tonight
It starts tonight
And let this promise in me start
Like an anthem in my heart
From now on
From now on
From now on
The video I chose to share is not the slick, final product but one that has it’s own story to tell. It captures an incredibly powerful moment in rehearsals when the song takes on meaning and energy and a life of it’s own. Even watching it causes me to be consumed by the emotion in that space and to hear that Hugh Jackman couldn’t stop himself rehearsing it – even though his doctors told him he couldn’t sing (he was recovering from an operation on the side of his nose) – says something about the power of song and connection.
We all fall short in our relationships – with each other and most definitely with God. We collude; we don’t intervene; we massage our egos; we only see the world from our perspective; we look after ‘number one’. So how affirming; how reassuring; how amazing to know that we can ‘come back home’, repent, renew our commitment and give ourselves to the relationship that we have with God.
“I am no longer my own but yours.
Your will, not mine, be done in all things,
wherever you may place me,
in all that I do
and in all that I may endure;
when there is work for me
and when there is none;
when I am troubled
and when I am at peace.
Your will be done
when I am valued
and when I am disregarded;
when I find fulfilment
and when it is lacking;
when I have all things,
and when I have nothing.
I willingly offer
all I have and am
to serve you,
as and where you choose.
Glorious and blessed God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
You are mine and I am yours.
May it be so for ever.
Let this covenant now made on earth
Be fulfilled in heaven.
Amen.
(Methodist Worship Book: page 288-289)
If you’d prefer the film version of ‘From Now On’ – here you go:
The Friday Fix 