Amazing Grace

When I was in fifth or sixth grade, our church Calvinette group (previous name of GEMS - church youth group for girls) visited a few nursing homes and sang for the residents. I was assigned to sing the song Amazing Grace as a duet with another girl. We had fun singing together, but the song didn't mean much to me at that time.

As I've grown older, however, I've come to love this song and now consider it one of my favorites. I love the way it talks about God's mercy and providence throughout life and the hope and promise of our future. For several years we sang this song in class so often that my second graders had memorized all five verses in our songbook. There are now several tunes associated with this song; I have my favorite, but with any tune these words still resonate the truth of God's love and grace to sinful people.

I didn't know much about the composer of this song, John Newton, except that he was previously a slave trader and had a religious conversion. A new musical shares more of the story of Newton's life. This musical, also called "Amazing Grace" opened in Chicago last month with the hope of moving to Broadway next year. It's an ambitious show with settings in England, Sierra Leone, and the ocean. The cast is wonderful, the music is awesome, and the special effects are incredible. (An underwater rescue scene is absolutely breathtaking!) In fact, I loved the show so much that I found a deal for half-price tickets and returned the following weekend to see it again! 

After seeing the theatrical production, I became more curious about John Newton and his life. I wondered how much of the storyline was dramatic license and what was actually true. I'm now reading a biography of Newton and am amazed at his pre conversion life - he was quite self-centered, vulgar, and wanted nothing to do with God. And yet - God had a plan for him that included becoming an Anglican priest; he spent the latter part of his life working to abolish slavery and sharing God's love with others. Knowing more about his life adds a deeper meaning to the words of his song Amazing Grace. My favorite song in the musical is called "Testimony" - the song John Newton sings after his realization that God is real and loves him (occurring when John survives an intense storm aboard a ship). It's a powerful song. Since there is no soundtrack (yet), this version is from the concept recording. 

Testimony - Amazing Grace the Musical

(I can't embed it, so here's the link.)

I find it so comforting that God loves every person and desires all to know and love him - His grace extends to all. It's a comforting reminder on days when I mess up as well. 

He came for me. He came to set. me. free.

Praise God!

1. Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
   That saved a wretch like me!
   I once was lost, but now am found;
   Was blind, but now I see.
2. ’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
   And grace my fears relieved;
   How precious did that grace appear
   The hour I first believed.
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares,
   I have already come;
   ’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
   And grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good to me,
   His Word my hope secures;
   He will my Shield and Portion be,
   As long as life endures.
5. Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
   And mortal life shall cease,
   I shall possess, within the veil,
   A life of joy and peace.
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
   The sun forbear to shine;
   But God, who called me here below,
   Will be forever mine.
7. When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
   Bright shining as the sun,
   We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
   Than when we’d first begun.