I sit on the grass on a Mexican blanket as the crackling of the bonfires and the smell of smoke fill the air. The full moon illuminates the sky, and the feeling of my mug filled with apple cider warms my hands as I wait for the annual Songs and Stories event to begin on Oct. 1. The sound of crickets, the perfect mid-50-degree temperature and powerful stories make for the perfect fall evening.
Songs and Stories is an Office of University Ministries event that is a compilation of photos, poems, stories and songs recounting God’s goodness and faithfulness. Usually, it is performed in Barefoots Joe, but because of COVID-19, the event was held on the Bowld Patio in the Grace Quad. This provided a relaxed atmosphere, enabling me to sit and absorb these stories.
The purpose of Songs and Stories is to communicate the greater story of salvation through the creativity and personal stories of the students here at Union University. This year’s focus was on God’s faithfulness to carry us through seasons of lament, and the events of the night followed the progression of complaint, request and statement of trust.
The evening included photography by Neil Cole and Elaine Widen; poetry and personal stories by Union students, faculty and a missionary in residence; and songs by Just Sisters joined by Lucas Brogdon, Austin Luttrell, Katie Simpson and Callie Teague.
“Just Sisters was really thoughtful with their song selections for the night,” said Callie Teague, a senior public relations major. “I think the whole night was a powerful communication of God’s faithfulness to His people.”
There was a quiet stillness and almost haunting quality to the acapella opening song “Have Mercy.” The lyrics hit close to my heart as the words “Oh help my unbelief, O Lord” have come out of my own mouth as I have walked through a difficult year. It was the perfect song choice to begin a night dedicated to lament.
The stories told throughout the night ran a thread of God redeeming our disappointment and failure for His glory. Zane Lancaster’s story, titled “Steve,” told of his journey on a GO Trip to Utah and how his experience with the sin of pride led to some sweet yet difficult truths about intimacy and surrender to God. Lancaster’s concluding words from his story read, “I’m thankful God chooses to work through me even as He’s still working in me.” As this night was focused on lament, it also served the purpose of reminding us of the hope we have as we trust in God’s faithfulness.
As the song “Your Eyes See Me” began to play, the focus of the stories began to change as it moved into a statement of trust. The sound of the violin provided a mood shift to victory and celebration. In his story “Rooted,” Charles Currie said in the final moments of the night, “Our God is bigger than the brokenness, darkness and evils in this world.” This captured the central message of Songs and Stories.
The evening concluded as we all stood and sang “It Is Well With My Soul” with hearts full of praise to the God who is faithful even in the season of lamentation.
