Friends Help Us Finish the Song

There is a video making its rounds on the internet, of a young man with autism singing the National Anthem at the beginning of a Boston Red Sox game. Midway through the song, the young man began stammering and fumbling his way through the words. The performance could have turned into an embarrassing disaster. Instead the crowd at Fenway joined the young man in singing the familiar words, and he was able to finish his song triumphantly.

Throughout the pilgrimage of faith I often stammer and fumble, even when the way is familiar. From childhood I have known the Holy Scripture which is able to make one wise unto salvation. Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs are lifelong friends; I know many of their words by heart. “I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12, KJV.

But sometimes the way of faith becomes hard. The road turns rocky and steep. I grow weary and my steps begin to falter.

In Pilgrim’s Progress, John Bunyan wrote of two friends—Christian and Hopeful—who journeyed together on their way to the celestial city. They relied on one another to keep from falling into weariness and slumber.  Along the way, Hopeful sang this song:

When Saints do sleepy grow, let them come hither,

And hear how these two Pilgrims talk together:

Yea, let them learn of them in any wise,

Thus to keep ope their drowsy, slumbring eyes.

Saints' fellowship, if it be managed well,

Keeps them awake, and that in spite of Hell.

Pilgrim's Progress, by John Bunyan, [1678], at sacred-texts.com

The One who created us and invited us to walk with Him in a pilgrimage of faith never intended us to journey alone. The One who has eternally existed in communion with Himself as Father, Son, and Spirit calls us to walk in community with one another. Three times a year the people of God journeyed together to Jerusalem to climb holy Mount Zion. They climbed together; the older helping the younger, the strong encouraging the weak. Together they sang Psalms of Ascent, joining their voices in praise while helping one another remember the familiar words of faith.

I am grateful for those friends in my life, the ones who rejoice with me in my triumphs and weep with me in my sorrows; the ones who have been there to share with me the joys and challenges of parenting. The ones I can call in the middle of the night when I can’t sleep. The ones who laugh with me about embarrassing medical procedures we have had or are about to have. The ones who sit in silence when there are no words.

A faithful friend comes alongside to say, “I know it’s hard for you to believe right now. I will believe for you. I know you can’t find the words for prayer right now. Let me pray them for you.  I know the path is difficult right now. Grab hold of my hand until your weak knees regain their strength. The one who says, “I know you know the song by heart but are too weak to sing it. Let me sing it for you—at least until you begin to remember the words.”

A faithful friend helps us finish the song triumphantly.

Joining Bonnie at Faith Barista who has invited us to share thoughts on Faith and Friends. Click the link below to read more thoughtful posts on this topic.

And with emily at imperfect prose:

(Thanks to Deb Colarossi for sharing the video link)