If you grew up on a farm you probably know what a tether is;
our kids and grandkids bat the tetherball around the pole at Hunter’s Ice
Cream.
Being tethered indicates you’re connected to something that
lets you move, but only within a particular radius. That’s why the term is used
so often now to describe how we are with our electronic devices – we can move
around but we’re connected, and that connection actually restricts and confines
us. It keeps us from being able to pay thoughtful attention to people who
deserve it, from being able to fully concentrate on a task, and worse…it can
keep us from being able to be mindful of the presence of the Lord and tuned in
to what he’s trying to say to us.
So this week of “Following Jesus”, we’re encouraged to disconnect…unplug…cut
the cord.
But here’s a different spin on being tethered; there is a beautiful hymn in our purple Glory
to God hymnal on page 529; “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether”; written around
1931 and the music composed in the 1950s, it’s a favorite of many Lutheran and
Roman Catholic congregations.
It talks about being drawn into close communion with God
when we are communing with other believers – even just one or two others:
Draw us in the Spirit's tether, for
when humbly in your name
two or three are met together, you
are in the midst of them.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Here we touch
your garment's hem.
As disciples used to gather in the
name of Christ to sup,
then with thanks to God the giver break
the bread and bless the cup,
Alleluia! Alleluia! So now bind our friendship up.
All our
meals and all our living make as sacraments of you,
that by caring, helping, giving, we
may be disciples true.
Alleluia! Alleluia! We will serve
with faith anew. *
Enjoy this fairly old, but very well-done recording of the
hymn:
https://youtu.be/zuEz4KYUwnA
Joy Christian
*words reprinted under one
license.ent A-725158
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