Edward Borrett
Edward Borrett
UK & Republic of Ireland Territory
I am an Officer and currently serving in a busy community in northwest London. For many years, music has been a key aspect of my life and a key aspect of my faith. I’ve found that so many of my encounters with God have been through music, whether that’s gathered with hundreds of other worshippers, or sat alone with a guitar. In my daily ministry, I use music in several ways; to teach Scripture, to facilitate an atmosphere of worship, and perhaps most importantly, as a place of personal spiritual formation.
God With Us, Immanuel
Recently I set myself a Scripture-reading challenge to read the book of John as slowly as possible. It may sound odd, but I had found myself reading through the Bible as if I were racing to get to the end. I was skimming the surface rather than allowing myself to sink into its pages. So, in deciding to slow down, and take on a more contemplative approach, I hoped to discover more of the depth hidden behind familiar words.
John’s Gospel opens with a remarkable prologue (verses 1-18) that provided the perfect starting place for my unhurried reading plan. As I read, and reread, and reread again, I found myself blown away by the beauty and complexity of these words that I had rushed past many times before. As I tried to sit with and process all that I was reading, I decided to try and set music to the passage, following the trajectory of the poetry as closely as I could. I hope the song inspires others to return to such a familiar passage of Scripture and hear again the incredible picture of Jesus that it offers; God with us, Immanuel!
Window to Heaven
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15).
This short line of Scripture, which captures the central thrust of Jesus’ teaching, poses a question: if the Kingdom of God has come close, where can we see it? If this “now and not yet” Kingdom is brushing up against our reality, where can we catch a glimpse of it? The answer—equal parts exciting and terrifying—is in us! The church is given both the gift and the responsibility of experiencing the Kingdom of God and demonstrating it to those around us.
I was inspired by this quote from Michael Goheen: “If we announce, ‘Good news: the Kingdom of God has arrived, and there is a new renewing power at work in the world because of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ,’ our neighbours have every right to ask, ‘Where is this new power at work?’ Our evangelistic words will be heard only if they are authenticated by the lives of the Christian community.” (Michael Goheen, Holistic Mission: Witness in Life, Word and Deed, p. 246)
This song seeks to bring this reality in front of our eyes. If we have tasted and seen that glorious forecast of eternity, then:
Let me live as a window to Heaven.
Let Your church be a sign of your glorious victory,
Of the Master’s design.
