I Love to Tell the Story (ELW 661, refrain)
Devotion
1 I love to tell the story
of unseen things above,
of Jesus and his glory,
of Jesus and his love.
I love to tell the story,
because I know it's true;
it satisfies my longings
as nothing else would do.
Refrain
I love to tell the story;
'twill be my theme in glory
to tell the old, old story
of Jesus and his love.
2 I love to tell the story:
how pleasant to repeat
what seems, each time I tell it,
more wonderfully sweet!
I love to tell the story,
for some have never heard
the message of salvation
from God's own holy word. Refrain
3 I love to tell the story,
for those who know it best
seem hungering and thirsting
to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory,
I sing the new, new song,
I'll sing the old, old story
that I have loved so long. Refrain
Text: Katherine Hankey, 1834-1911
Some hymns express my thoughts and feelings more elegantly than I can. Other hymns stir up dissonance within me. As I sing them, I wonder, Is this actually true for me?"
"I Love to Tell the Story" is one of those latter hymns. On my best days, I joyously sing the refrain. Most days, however, this chorus feels more difficult. I regularly hear people say their faith is private and they prefer not to "tell the story of Jesus and his love." Yet, I know I would not be where I am today if many people had not sung "the old, old story" to me: parents, pastors, friends, youth leaders. I think of my high school leader regularly taking us into the nearby city to serve, and just talk with, people experiencing homelessness. Through these trips, I learned that Jesus' love extends even to people most of the world forgets.
Who has sung the old, old story to you?
Prayer
God whose love stretches far and wide: This day, hold us in your care and teach us to sing the old, old story in our words and deeds. Amen.