Before reading, click above to listen to the title track A Thousand Years from my 7th album, with piano and English horn. For more listening or sheet music from this album you can click here.
Is everything well with your soul?
As I think about this question it points to the three parts of the song A Thousand Years. Each represents an idea to help care for your soul.
1. Live with Simplicity and Childlike Faith (Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star)
I was inspired to arrange Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star for this piece, to represent childlike faith. The image below expresses how I want to live life — with adventure, joy, faith and trust (“the swing” was captured in Vermont during the April 2011 recording of the album). Remember the first time you climbed a tree? The first time you rode a bicycle? The first time you saw the ocean? The first time you saw the mountains? Care for your soul by remembering, giving thanks and asking God to help you follow His leading. Nurture simplicity, and take leaps of childlike faith into greater adventure, joy, faith and trust.
2. Live out of Silence and Solitude (Original melody)
The original melody that opens and appears throughout A Thousand Years flowed out of a place of peace and rest. For me, this sense of contentment comes from practicing silence and solitude, usually early in the morning. Caring for our souls happens best when we unplug from technology, distraction and noise. My favorite things to do during this time are reading and meditating on Scripture, praying, and listening for God’s voice. Practicing silence and solitude results in God speaking into my life through His Word. Even during times when He seems distant or quiet, I have learned to trust in His promises that He loves me, He believes in me, and He knows my needs before I ask.
3. Live from a Place of Surrender (It Is Well with My Soul)
The third part of A Thousand Years is the famous hymn It is Well with My Soul. The author’s story of surrender is profound. He never knew his words would impact millions of lives. In 1871 Horatio Spafford’s extensive real estate holdings burned in the great Chicago fire. For two years he and his wife served people in need after the fire. In 1873 they planned a family holiday trip to England. Needing to finish some business, Horatio sent his wife and four daughters ahead to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Their ship was struck by another vessel and sank. His wife was saved with a few others, but 226 people drowned, including all four of their daughters. As Horatio Spafford traveled by ship to join his wife, when he passed over the waters where his daughters died, he penned the words to It is Well with My Soul (Wikipedia). When we surrender and abide in God’s strength, “it is well with my soul” becomes true for us as we experience His presence and live for His glory.
Which of these ideas or verses below can help you care for your soul?
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Habakkuk 2:20
The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.
Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
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