September 6th, 2021
By Lani Cole-Mitchell
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I’ll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)
I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).
Written in 1932 by Albert E. Brumley, “I’ll Fly Away” has been called the most recorded gospel hymn and has been used in worship services by several different Christian churches including Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, Methodists, and many others. The origins of this hymn come from “The Prisoner's Song” that Brumley was humming along to while picking cotton on his father’s farm. The secular lyrics “If I had the wings of an angel, over these prison walls I would fly,” inspired the lyrics that we know today.
This hymn has been on my heart for the past few weeks. I find that when God is speaking to me, it is usually through music, and in this case, it was this hymn that has been stuck in the back of my head. As I sat down to write this devotion, I pulled up these lyrics and reflected upon them. Psalm 55:6 reads, “I said, ‘Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.’”
Digging a bit deeper, it hit me. When we are faced with conflict, adversity, or something that just does not sit right with us, our body, our intuition gives us a choice: FIGHT OR FLIGHT. Some people jump right into the fight whether it be with words, in conversation, action, or even on social media, they are ready to fight as their preferred defense mechanism. On the other hand, some people, including myself at times, prefer the method of flight. If we just leave it alone and go in the opposite direction, we won’t have to deal with it and all will be well.
Let’s be honest here, what I’m going to mention next will most likely invoke the defense mechanism of fight or flight in you: Afghanistan, Hurricane Ida, Haiti, Tornadoes, Flooding, Government, Covid-19 Delta Variant, Masks or no Masks at Schools, Vaccinations, Texas Abortion Law, Systemic Racism & Equality, the loss of dear loved ones….the list can go on and on and on.
With all that is going on in this world, I know that each of you who is reading this is feeling something heavy. Whether it is anger, pain, sadness, etc., I encourage you to feel whatever it is you are feeling, but the important part to remember and the reason why I am writing this is to consider this: how do we not jump into fight or flight mode? What if we all took the time to allow ourselves to feel what it is we are feeling deeply (because it is ok to go through the emotions), and then turn that fight or flight that is bubbling up into hope that we can share with each other?
The Bible shows us how to do so in so many different passages:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:2-3
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” - James 1:19-20
And most importantly….“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34
This week, this month, these past two years have been heavy, friends. Have you allowed yourself to come alongside your neighbors, especially those you do not agree with, and love them right where they are? Have you been able to put your differences aside and remember that we are all children of God? We do not always have to agree with each other to do life together with respect and love and even a little joy!
Or have you taken those emotions and, instead, took the approach of flight or fight? I will be very transparent with you all and share that my beliefs do not always align with those of my parents. I have learned that fighting doesn’t work. Flying doesn’t either. Instead, I have found that the approach of listening, understanding the why, and simply being present, has allowed me to continue to love my parents, continue in relationship with them, respect them, show kindness and grace, and even find joy. I am not perfect and at times, I find the fight or flight creeping through. However, that approach does nothing good for our relationship.
I encourage you to go back over the list I mentioned above or think about something that has been weighing on your heart. Consider what Jesus would do if he were here with us. What is Jesus calling you to do? Think about that same Jesus who came alongside prostitutes and tax collectors. That same Jesus who we know and love and who died for us exemplified hope, peace, love and grace with everyone he met - especially those who did not agree with him.
“One bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away.” - that will be the time for you to fly to the arms of our Savior. For now, while still on this earth, you are encouraged to reflect on those lyrics and find hope in Jesus, our Savior. We don’t have to fight, and we certainly do not have to fly away. My prayer for you all is to allow that hope and love that Jesus taught us to fill your heart and give you the courage to share that same hope and love with your neighbors regardless of any differences.
When the shadows of this life have gone,
I’ll fly away;
Like a bird from prison bars has flown,
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away)
I’ll fly away, Oh Glory
I’ll fly away; (in the morning)
When I die, Hallelujah, by and by
I’ll fly away (I’ll fly away).
Written in 1932 by Albert E. Brumley, “I’ll Fly Away” has been called the most recorded gospel hymn and has been used in worship services by several different Christian churches including Baptists, Pentecostals, Nazarenes, Methodists, and many others. The origins of this hymn come from “The Prisoner's Song” that Brumley was humming along to while picking cotton on his father’s farm. The secular lyrics “If I had the wings of an angel, over these prison walls I would fly,” inspired the lyrics that we know today.
This hymn has been on my heart for the past few weeks. I find that when God is speaking to me, it is usually through music, and in this case, it was this hymn that has been stuck in the back of my head. As I sat down to write this devotion, I pulled up these lyrics and reflected upon them. Psalm 55:6 reads, “I said, ‘Oh that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.’”
Digging a bit deeper, it hit me. When we are faced with conflict, adversity, or something that just does not sit right with us, our body, our intuition gives us a choice: FIGHT OR FLIGHT. Some people jump right into the fight whether it be with words, in conversation, action, or even on social media, they are ready to fight as their preferred defense mechanism. On the other hand, some people, including myself at times, prefer the method of flight. If we just leave it alone and go in the opposite direction, we won’t have to deal with it and all will be well.
Let’s be honest here, what I’m going to mention next will most likely invoke the defense mechanism of fight or flight in you: Afghanistan, Hurricane Ida, Haiti, Tornadoes, Flooding, Government, Covid-19 Delta Variant, Masks or no Masks at Schools, Vaccinations, Texas Abortion Law, Systemic Racism & Equality, the loss of dear loved ones….the list can go on and on and on.
With all that is going on in this world, I know that each of you who is reading this is feeling something heavy. Whether it is anger, pain, sadness, etc., I encourage you to feel whatever it is you are feeling, but the important part to remember and the reason why I am writing this is to consider this: how do we not jump into fight or flight mode? What if we all took the time to allow ourselves to feel what it is we are feeling deeply (because it is ok to go through the emotions), and then turn that fight or flight that is bubbling up into hope that we can share with each other?
The Bible shows us how to do so in so many different passages:
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” - Ephesians 4:2-3
“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.” - James 1:19-20
And most importantly….“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34
This week, this month, these past two years have been heavy, friends. Have you allowed yourself to come alongside your neighbors, especially those you do not agree with, and love them right where they are? Have you been able to put your differences aside and remember that we are all children of God? We do not always have to agree with each other to do life together with respect and love and even a little joy!
Or have you taken those emotions and, instead, took the approach of flight or fight? I will be very transparent with you all and share that my beliefs do not always align with those of my parents. I have learned that fighting doesn’t work. Flying doesn’t either. Instead, I have found that the approach of listening, understanding the why, and simply being present, has allowed me to continue to love my parents, continue in relationship with them, respect them, show kindness and grace, and even find joy. I am not perfect and at times, I find the fight or flight creeping through. However, that approach does nothing good for our relationship.
I encourage you to go back over the list I mentioned above or think about something that has been weighing on your heart. Consider what Jesus would do if he were here with us. What is Jesus calling you to do? Think about that same Jesus who came alongside prostitutes and tax collectors. That same Jesus who we know and love and who died for us exemplified hope, peace, love and grace with everyone he met - especially those who did not agree with him.
“One bright morning when this life is over, I’ll fly away.” - that will be the time for you to fly to the arms of our Savior. For now, while still on this earth, you are encouraged to reflect on those lyrics and find hope in Jesus, our Savior. We don’t have to fight, and we certainly do not have to fly away. My prayer for you all is to allow that hope and love that Jesus taught us to fill your heart and give you the courage to share that same hope and love with your neighbors regardless of any differences.
No Comments