Christian Counseling Service -- Devotions

Departing in peace

Sunday, December 29, 2002

Luke 2:25-33
25) Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem
whose name was Simeon,
and this man was just and devout,
waiting for the Consolation of Israel,
and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
26) And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit
that he would not see death
before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
27) So he came by the Spirit into the temple.
And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus,
to do for Him according to the custom of the law,
28) he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said:
29) "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace,
According to Your word;
30) For my eyes have seen Your salvation
31) Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples,
32) A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles,
And the glory of Your people Israel."
33) And Joseph and His mother
marveled at those things which were spoken of Him.
34) Then Simeon blessed them.

I have memorized the melody. Sunday after Sunday, year after year, we sang the song of Simeon after communion in the Lutheran church I attended as a young person, as a young Christian. We partook of the wine and bread, prayed together, and then sang these words in a haunting, plaintive chant. Sometimes the minister sang the song alone, with no help from his congregation. That is when it was most powerful.

Many years later, Margaret and I attended a Rich Mullins concert at Lincoln Christian College. Rich Mullins is my favorite songwriter, and one of my favorite singers. His show was wonderful, and his songs were deep, funny, unpredictable. Finally it was over, except for his encore.

Rich took the microphone and sang something I'd never heard. I later learned it was a song written by Albert Brumley, author of "I'll Fly Away," my father's favorite song. He sang,

"This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through
My treasures are laid up, somewhere beyond the blue
The angels beckon me, from heaven's open door,
And I can't feel at home in this world anymore."

There was no accompaniment. Rich's words cut straight through me; it seemed that he sang those words with the loneliness and desperation of a stranger in a strange land. I believed him utterly.

Less than a year later, Rich Mullins was killed in a freak auto accident. And I have never forgotten the sound of his voice singing that song, asking for the Lord to allow him to depart in peace.

Lord, I am comfortable here. Life is often sweet and full of joy. But when you beckon me from heaven, everything else pales, and I do not want to turn my eyes from you.

Devotions Archive

Departing in peace

Sunday, December 29, 2002