Work and Worship

November 1, 2018

Today is All-Saints Day, when we remember those steadfast ones who faithfully carried the torch and handed it off to those who followed suit, all through history. It is a story that years ago didn’t command my attention as it does today. I am much more aware of the faithfulness of those who came before me than I was thirty years ago. In 1864, William W. How penned the lyrics to a majestic hymn honoring those forerunners while worshipping the Lord Jesus Christ. “For All the Saints” has for a number of years been a favorite of mine on this day. Here are the lyrics:

1. For all the saints, who from their labours rest,

Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,

Thy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

2. Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;

Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;

Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

4. O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,

Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,

And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

7. O blest communion, fellowship divine!

We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;

Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

8. And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,

Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,

And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

10. But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;

The saints triumphant rise in bright array;

The King of glory passes on His way.

Alleluia, Alleluia!

11. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,

Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,

Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:

Alleluia, Alleluia!

As you can see, there are four other verses which are usually omitted in the singing of this hymn. The tune, Sine Nomine is by Ralph Vaughn Williams, written in 1906, means “Without a Name,” remembering the multitude whose names are today known only to God. I am grateful for these forerunners, and for this song which never ceases to stir me on this day.

On a more mundane note, since yesterday was the 501st anniversary of Luther’s 95 Theses, I am grateful for one particular characteristic of the Reformation: the notion that all work is sacred when offered to God. Today I did ordinary work, but it was an act of worship as I did my best and followed our Creator in making something beautiful. Of course, I didn’t start ex nihilo, and unlike God, the project is much smaller and taking way more than six days, but when it’s done, it’ll be an expression of his image in me. Ordinary work is sacred and has eternal worth, for which I am thankful tonight.