LOVE LIFTS US ALL

This past Saturday, I learned the news of Kenny Rogers passing.

Growing up, I listened to country music, and it was a huge part of my upbringing. In fact, I remember my dad playing Kenny Roger’s eight tracks and cassettes on our stereo in the house. I was thinking of all of his songs, and I giggled when remembering my brother changed the words to Lucille from “you picked a fine time to leave me Lucille” to “you picked a fine time to leave me loose wheel.” I don’t know if that was his doing or a parody from someone else. Ahhh...our sense of humor nonetheless.

Sunday, I spent some time listening to Kenny Roger’s songs on Spotify.

There was one that I had forgotten that really struck me, Love Lifted Me. This song is adapted from a hymn that was written in the early 1900’s by James Rowe. The hymn’s lyrics draw from Matthew 14:22 -33 where Jesus and the disciples are out at sea. Peter attempts to walk on water towards Jesus, but he starts to sink. Jesus reaches out and pulls Peter up and out of the water.

We can sink in our sin and our lack of faith and trust, but Jesus lifts us up and out. Here are the lyrics to the hymn:

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

Love lifted me! Love lifted me!

When nothing else could help,

Love lifted me.

Kenny Roger’s version changed the words to “When nothing else would do” and the verses, but the overall point and chorus are still in line. I thought about how much we need love right now.

We need to show love to our neighbors. We need to be reminded in the midst of uncertainty and despair that God loves us so much that He sent His one and only Son! I sometimes get irritated with songs that repeat words over and over and over but hearing “love lifted me. Love lifted me!” over and over was refreshing. The words are a reminder of the upcoming Resurrection Season - the greatest example of Love lifting us that we will ever know. 

- Jody Lukowiak, Children’s Pastor