Friday, March 8, 2024  

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Today's Hymn
“What Wondrous Love Is This”

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul,
what wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this that caused the Lord of bliss
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
to bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

American folk hymn
Hymn 215, Glory to God
verse 1

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Reflection

Such simple lyrics. As I have been pondering what to write for this devotional, the tune has been stuck in my head. This hymn was first published in 1835 and has remained popular almost two hundred years later. The message remains relevant. The lyrics, despite the haunting melody, are strangely comforting: the idea that we are so loved that the burdens of our souls are taken up; the idea that there is a love so great that the Lord of bliss would sacrifice himself for someone as insignificant as me.

I see it as a challenge, as well, to share that same wonderous love with everyone I meet, remembering that we are all beloved children of God and deserving of this wonderous love. Living into that is much more difficult than getting rid of the song stuck in my head, but as I hum the tune to myself, I challenge myself to share wonderous love to everyone that I meet.

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Prayer
Thank you, God, for constant and unfailing, wondrous love. Though I am undeserving, your love is unconditional. Help me to share this love with everyone that I meet. Help me to remember that we are all your beloved children and that you love us unconditionally. Amen.

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Written by Katie Patterson, Manager of Worship and Youth Ministry Programs

Reflection and Prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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