I’ll fly away, Oh Glory

 

Some glad morning when this life is o’er, I’ll fly away;

To a home on God’s celestial shore, I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).

I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).

I know this song is about death, and the glorious life thereafter.  But that is not why it’s there.  It’s there because God is SO GOOD at bringing glory to himself in whatever way He can.  Even through old Christian folk songs about death.

Becky, the girl from Minnesota that I drove to Texas with, started a worship circle on Saturday nights during our month of training in Houston.  Tonight, there were 6 of us gathered in the breezeway of the Moody Towers at the University of Houston.  We were worshipping together, and between songs, two TFA dudes, Jim and Joe, walked up with their guitars.  

“Hey, it looks like you guys are having a jam session…”  One asked.

(Hesitant) “Well, kind of.”  We said.

“What are you singin’?”  The other inquired.

“Worship.”  Said Becky.

Awkward silence.  

They seemed to want to scramble to get out of there, but one of us invited them to sit down and “jam” with us.  So they did.  And it was fine.  Actually, it was great!  

Jim knew an old Christian folk song that he had picked up from a movie, so he played it for us.  I don’t remember most of the words, but I do recall him repeating, “Jesus knows the way” in the refrain.  Jim may have had no idea, but these words were true, and they penetrated my heart.  

The next song he played for us was the “old school” I’ll Fly Away.  Stumbling through the lyrics, we all sang along.  

Then we asked if they knew how to play Amazing Grace, and they said no, but Joe wanted to try.  Becky had the sheet music, so she and Joe played while the rest of us sang about our Savior.  Finally, How Great Thou Art was next, and neither of the boys knew how to play it.  Becky did, so they just watched.  Actually, Jim just watched.  Joe sang.  Loud and clear.  Every word.  Every note.  He sang like he meant it.  

O Lord my God, When I in awesome wonder,
Consider all the worlds Thy Hands have made;
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art.
Then sings my soul, My Saviour God, to Thee,
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!

Now, I’m not sure if Joe really meant these words, but I am sure that he really liked the song.  I believe that Joe’s words were bringing glory to our Father in Heaven, whether or not he knew it.  

To bring the “jam session” to a close, Jim and Joe parted, with their guitars, to find food, and the rest of us worshipped a little more.  On their way out, though, the 2 boys said that they’d “jam” with us some other time.  

I’m pretty sure God was smiling real big.