It is
Well
By Lexi Ellis
“I will extol the Lord at all times;
His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the
afflicted hear and rejoice.”
Psalm 34:1-2 (NIV)
In the late 1800’s, Horatio Spafford had it all: a thriving
legal practice, wealthy real estate investments, a loving wife and five
children. And then it hit. In 1871, the Spaffords’ son died and the Great
Chicago Fire destroyed Horatio’s investments. Horatio decided the family needed
a vacation. When unexpected business came up, he sent his wife and four
daughters on the ship with plans to meet them shortly. The boat collided and
his four daughters drowned. Within two years, Horatio and Anna Spafford buried
all five of their children. [1]
It was in the midst of this unspeakable disaster that Horatio
wrote the well-known hymn, “It is Well with My Soul.” There are two things that
have been impactful for me. The first is the phrase: “It is well with my soul.” I love that Spafford doesn’t
sugarcoat it. He was in the midst of immense mourning. He didn’t fake it and
say it is “golly, ol’ grand with my soul.” But he doesn’t allow bitterness to
overcome him. It hurts, it’s sad, it’s painful…but it is well. Why? The hymn
explains because of what Christ has done for us. It is well because Christ has
taken all of our sin, reconciled us with God and is coming back soon.
The other thing that so impacts me in the hymn is that our God
is in relationship with us, regardless of our present circumstance. He is our
God in times of happiness and in times of sadness. Another worship song I love
echoes that truth:
All of my life, in every season,
You are still God.
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship.
I will bring praise. I will bring
praise.
No weapon formed against me shall
remain.
God meets us where we are - - in the midst of joyous
celebrations and unspeakable pain. Incredible. I want my life song to be
similar to Horatio Spafford’s beautiful hymn and be able to say to my Lord
every morning, “It is well.”
When peace, like a river, attendeth
my way,
When sorrows like sea billow roll;
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me
to say,
GOING DEEPER:
1. Identify what kind of “season” you are currently in.
2. What do you need to do so you can honestly say “It is well
with my soul” each morning?
FURTHER READING:
Lexi and her
husband, Andrew, have an adorable dog named Calvin. Lexi teaches sixth grade
Reading and Writing. She serves with Children’s Ministries and is the Fresh
Start Coordinator.
[1] http://www.faithclipart.com/guide/Christian-Music/hymns-the-songs-and-the-stories/it-is-well-with-my-soul-the-song-and-the-story.html
[3] For all the verses of the hymn sung by Chris Rice:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HLyhEdh92E&feature=related
