This week's Theme: Live Till Tomorrow
Day 1: Beyond Friday
This past week, I looked with joyous anticipation at the signs of Spring—the longer days and hours of sunlight, the early morning birdsong, the budding plants pushing through the cold, hard ground. As I described the buds to a loved one, we got into conversation about waiting for spring. Literally and metaphorically.
We talked about the tough times in life, shrouded in mists and fog, dead ends and impossibilities. We talked about despairing times when it seems like the bleakness will never end—that the sun will never shine again. And we talked about the kind of desperation that can obliterate hope.
It’s the kind of desperation described by British poet William Cowper—pronounced “Cooper” (1731-1800) in his poem The Needless Alarm. Cowper describes a seemingly hopeless situation that turns out not to be hopeless after all. And he ends the poem:
Moral: Beware of desperate steps. The darkest day, Live till tomorrow, will have pass’d away.
Cowper wrote those words from a place of deep, dark experience. He wrestled with depression and intense mental distress his entire life, and he attempted suicide four times.
On one of these attempts, he planned to drown himself in the Thames River, but the driver of the horse-drawn carriage he had engaged could not navigate through the thick fog enveloping the city of London. In desperation, Cowper fled the carriage and attempted to make his way to the river on foot. But after wandering around blindly in the fog, he providentially found himself back at his own home.
He wrote a poem about this experience—Light Shining Out of Darkness—a poem that was later to become well-known as the hymn, God Moves in a Mysterious Way/His Wonders to Perform. It became part of a collection of hymns known as the Olney Hymns—a collaborative project between Cowper and John Newton (writer of Amazing Grace) —Cowper’s pastor, mentor, and friend.
Cowper continued to struggle with mental health for the rest of his life. Yet, from deep in his soul the reminder of the Light Shining Out of Darkness would sometimes brighten his verse and give rise to the perspective of hope seen in The Needless Alarm.
In all the poet’s challenges, John Newton remained a devoted friend, providing hope, help, and encouragement. Both men became very involved in the fight to abolish slavery, and Cowper contributed significantly to the movement through his poems.
In spite of the pain, the darkness, and the struggle, God had a plan and a purpose for Cowper’s life. As He does for yours and mine. He calls us in community for mutual support and hope, help, and encouragement.
As I reflected on winter giving place to spring, darkness giving way to light, and despair giving way to hope, I thought of the classic three and a half minute sermon by S.M. Lockridge, It’s Friday, but Sunday’s a coming (YouTube Link provided).
In the ultimate conquest of sin and evil, death and destruction, Jesus forever takes humanity from the darkness of despair to the light of hope, from the fear of the unknown to plans for a future, from the gloom of Friday to the joy of Sunday. And in the power and the hope He gives—in the promise of His strengthening presence, we can hold on together even through the darkest day and live till tomorrow.
