Jimbo's Jots

Several years ago, I was sitting a group of people. This was a special group because it was honoring all of those who had been a part of Rochester University’s traveling music group Autumn. As a part of the weekend celebration, there was a chance for individual years of Autumn group to sing songs from their repertoire. Then, to conclude the evening, all of those in attendance for the weekend sang together in one voice several songs chosen by some of the past and present directors.

One of those songs became sort of an anthem. As I was learning this simple song, it reminded partially of why I got into ministry and counseling.

To The Least Of These

Chorus
To the last to the lost, To the least of these
Let us be Jesus today, To the last to the lost
To the least of these, Let us be Jesus today

Verse 1
Give us a heart for the hopeless, The weary and wounded
For all who are hungry, Helpless and poor
Let us see the sorrow, The pain and the heartache
That all the abandoned endure

Verse 2
May we reach out to the broken, The beaten the battered
To all who have fallen, Disgraced and ashamed
May we be a comfort, Loving forgiving and offering
Grace in Your Name

The author and composer, Randy Gill, shared the song with us that weekend. As we started to rehearse, he told this story:

A friend was visiting their home one night. During the stay, the friend revealed some secrets of his past. These secrets created a whirlwind spiral of decimation financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Upon hearing the man’s story, Randy said he had a hard time sleeping that night. It was more of “how can I help?” type of sleepless night.

The next morning, Randy said, he sat down at his piano and out came the second verse of this song. Several days later, the song was finished.

Today’s lesson from Matthew is about the woman caught in adultery. I’m wondering more based on hearing Randy’s story and how we respond to the broken, if the story is more about how would I respond to this woman. Would I be someone to offer compassion and mercy as Jesus did? I want to be someone who offers grace to the broken in the name of Jesus. And thank you Randy for the reminder!

Be blessed and be a blessing!