#iCONVICTION: Now That’s a Swan Song

Have you ever heard the term “swan song?” It refers to the ancient belief that swans sing a beautiful song in the moment just before death, having been silent or not so musical during most of their lifetime. This proverbial saying stemmed from Greek mythology. I find there is some metaphorical truth to this.
It is often in our darkest moments that we have a decision to make regarding our circumstances. How will we respond? Because it is inevitable that when we are squeezed, something will come out – will it be a ‘song’ or simply ‘white noise?’
As we come to the holidays I was moved upon hearing the history of a particular Christmas song favorite. The song “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day,” was birthed, interestingly, through a death.
In the summer of 1861, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s wife, Frances, died tragically in a fire. The first Christmas without her, he wrote in his diary, “How inexpressibly sad are the holidays.” In 1863, as the Civil War was dragging on, Longfellow’s son joined the army against his father’s wishes and was critically injured. It was during another upcoming painful Christmas that he wrote this song. It begins as a song of desolation, but ends with these words, “Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: God is not dead nor doth He sleep! The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Now that’s a swan song.
Another favorite song of mine is “It Is Well With My Soul,” penned by prominent Chicago lawyer Horatio Spafford. 
Spafford’s life was full of tragic events. He lost his young 4-year-old son to scarlet fever. Then, the 1871 Great Chicago Fire ruined his massive real estate business, and his losses were compounded by another economic hit in 1873. At that time, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family, but his plans changed suddenly due to an impending business matter. 
He sent his family on ahead. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship they were passengers on, the Ville du Havre, sank after a collision with another sea vessel, and all four of Spafford’s daughters, ages 11, 9, 5, and 2, died. All four! 
His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, “Saved alone …” Shortly afterward, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he penned this timeless song at the spot where the fateful collision occurred. The song concludes with these powerful words, “Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.’
Now that’s a swan song.
As we approach the holidays and New Year, I can only testify from my own life, that whatever burdens are weighing you down – past, present, or future – no matter how dark or hopeless it may appear, that when we surrender our circumstances into God’s hands, He will put a swan’s song into our heart. And in spite of the sadness, disappointment, or any derailed dream, our response can be the very song that will lift someone else’s burden from white noise to beautiful music.
 
ED. NOTE: Maher is a former professional athlete and author of the book “U MAY B THE ONLY BIBLE SOMEBODY READS: R U LEGIBLE?” His “Decisions Determine Destiny” assemblies are funded by State Farm and service youth in the tristate area. He is president of Soldiers for Faith Ministries and also the director of Student Ministries at Coastal Christian Ocean City. He served four years and seven months in N.J. State prison and was released August 2014. Learn more at www.themattmaherstory.com. Follow him on Twitter @mattmaherstory and on Instagram @matthewmaher7.