11-28-11<\/p>\n
My friend Jim Watkins recently reported on a remark overheard during a missions trip to Zambia: \u201cAmericans pray for burdens to be lifted. Africans pray for stronger backs.\u201d<\/p>\n
This is one of those unexpected stop-sign concepts that we occasionally meet on life\u2019s road. Theology? Both halves of the sentence are theologically valid. Jesus offered to be our yoke, and our Strong Arm. And then, as the entire Book of James and many other parts of Scripture remind us, we must forbear; that Jesus identifies with our suffering. \u201cBurdens are lifted at Calvary.\u201d<\/p>\n
There is no contradiction. Both viewpoints are support beams of that bridge whose builder and maker is the Lord, a bridge that will carry us through life.<\/p>\n
Whether Americans and Africans have different attitude toward burdens is a question that ultimately leads to self-examinations as cultures, as residents of certain points in history, and as food for thought. Of course, there might be implications about societies and economies and such; but all are beneficial to think about. We can especially notice the fact that \u201ccenter of gravity\u201d of the Christian church is moving to south of the Equator. Some people have the impression that Islam, for instance, is overwhelming Africa. Its numbers are increasing, but not as fast or in greater numbers than a rapid spread of Christianity! On-fire, evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity likewise is growing in great numbers in the Pacific Rim and in South America. As an example, there are more Charismatics than traditional Catholics on Brazil today.<\/p>\n
As I say, there is food for thought in the comment overheard on that missions trip. But on the \u201cstronger back\u201d side of the equation, let us remember, as we did a few weeks ago, that no matter how difficult things get, Jesus is always there to assist us.<\/p>\n
There is a song that reminds us of this truth in a haunting, aching manner. It was written by an elderly lady who had not written other songs that we know of, and has no other music in songbooks or hymnbooks. Back in the 1960s a small gospel group, The Hallelujah Minstrels of Fort Smith, Arkansas, wanted to record an album but couldn\u2019t afford the studio time. A friend of the leader Ray Lewis asked several times if the group would listen to a song his sister, Audra Czarnikow of Liberty, OK, had written. Finally, Mrs Czarnikow offered to contribute to the studio costs if they would record her song. She dug out an old reel-to-reel tape she had made of it\u2026 the group was so impressed that they recorded it\u2026 and even named the album after the song, \u201cGod walks the dark Hills.\u201d<\/p>\n
The evocative song speaks not of defeat but of encouragement, while not ignoring the challenges, snares, and pitfalls of life that we all know are too real. But God walks the dark hills for you and me.<\/p>\n
God walks the dark hills, the highways and byways.
\nHe walks o’er the billows of life’s troubled sea.
\nHe walks in the cold, dark shadows of midnight —
\nGod walks the dark hills for you and me.<\/p>\n
Chorus<\/strong> God walks in the storm, the rain and the sunshine, God walks in silence in the stillness of midnight, + + +<\/p>\n This song became a signature song of the Happy Goodmans, and is performed here, solo on the piano, by the plaintive voice of Iris Dement. Countless people have gone to contemplation, and uncountable people have been touched, by this lone song of a nearly anonymous, creative servant, Audra Czarnikow. Whether your burdens are lifted or more easily carried, it will encourage your spirit.<\/p>\n
\nGod walks the dark hills to guide my footsteps;
\nHe walks everywhere by night and by day.
\nHe walks in silence down the lone highway,
\nGod walks the dark hills to show me the way.<\/p>\n
\nHe walks in the shadows of glimmering light;
\nHe walks o’er the mountains, the rivers, and valleys,
\nGod walks the dark hills to guide you and me.<\/p>\n
\nHe walks in your Garden of Gethsemane;
\nHe walks through the halls and aisles of the Temple,
\nGod walks the dark hills to guide you and me.<\/p>\n