I Love to Tell the Story (ELW 661)
Devotion
1I 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.
2I 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
3I 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
This hymn became my favorite when I was about 3 years old, especially because it was easy to learn the words of the refrain. I loved to sing it in the grain truck riding along with my dad delivering grain to the elevator seven miles from our farm. Dad often told me stories about the neighbor kids he grew up with, about the truck and how it worked, and about the things we saw out the truck windows. I also heard stories of my community. Each morning Mom would sit in the rocking chair and read our family devotions as I got ready for the day. Somehow the community stories, the Bible stories, and the stories of faith began to mingle — and suddenly God was involved in all of it. "I love to tell the story…," yes, because in telling stories we remember that God's story is still being written. God is at work, even now, writing the next chapters of our lives and our communities.
Prayer
Gracious God, bless us as we share our stories with each other. Inspire us to see the work of your Spirit in the stories of our lives, and help us to interpret your Word in such a way that it takes on meaning in the hearts of those who have yet to hear the Good News of your amazing love. Amen.