Joni Eareckson Tada’s superb new song, Alone Yet Not Alone, is stirring up a lot of controversy in Hollywood. I hope it stirs you up as well by reminding you of God’s faithful presence in your life.
The song was written for a recent movie by the same title. It’s based on the true story of two young girls who were carried off by Allegheny warriors during the French and Indian War in 1755. The composition was nominated for an Academy Award but was then removed from consideration when the Academy ruled that the composer had improperly lobbied for votes (details here [1]).
Regardless of how you interpret the controversy in Hollywood, the song itself is magnificent, as you can hear for yourself by clicking here [2]. As you watch the video segment from the recording studio, you’ll notice that Joni’s husband, Ken, is kneeling in front of her wheel chair while she sings. As a quadriplegic, Joni lacks the lung power to hit the high notes on her own. So Ken assisted her by pressing gently on her diaphragm. A beautiful team effort.
I’ve downloaded this song to my tablet and phone and have enjoyed using it in my morning devotions. I’ve also listened to it when I felt discouraged, tempted, or in need of guidance. Why? Because the music and the lyrics grab my thoughts and affections, rip them off of myself, and catapult them upward to God.
Like other classic hymns I’ve memorized, Alone Yet Not Alone strengthens my “God-awareness [3],” which is the foundational discipline of relational wisdom [4]. This is the discipline that sets relational wisdom apart from its worldly counterpart, emotional intelligence [5], by providing a supernatural motivation and moral compass for relating to other people.
Please take a few minutes to listen to this beautiful song. It will stir your heart, cast your thoughts upward toward God, and remind you that you are never alone (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5).
Ken Sande
Reflection Questions
- Listen to the song with pen and paper in hand and write down the lyrics that mean the most to you. What qualities of God do they describe? What emotions and thoughts do they stir within you?
- When have you felt alone? When have you felt alone yet not alone? What was it that made the difference?
- How can being intensely God-aware help you to deal with the distractions, discouragements, or temptations of life?
- Think of some people who might feel alone right now. If they are nearby, go and meet with them and share this song with them to remind them that they are not alone. If they live far away, email this post and let them know you care for them and are praying for them.
Permission to distribute: Please feel free to download, print, or electronically share this message in its entirety for non-commercial purposes with as many people as you like.
© 2014 Ken Sande
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