The assembly
of the Synod of the Northeast (PCUSA) was just held in Albany. Plenty of wonderful things happened, such as
the sermon preached by Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett, review of Synod
refocusing (actually more interesting than it sounds), and a document prepared
by young ministry leaders called “A Confession for Such a Time as This.”
But one event really stuck out for me, and it was the closing worship service, featuring the choir from Valley Stream Presbyterian Church from Long Island. This white guy was once again introduced to the deep well of the African-American spiritual tradition. I was moved by their performance of Hezekiah Walker’s “I Need You to Survive.”
If ‘I Need You to Survive’ is situated squarely on the line between romantic and spiritual love that makes gospel such a compelling musical genre, it’s also about the territory that personal relationships and political movements have in common. Telling someone ‘I need you to survive’ is such a raw statement that it feels almost obscene to utter aloud.” (June 19, 2015)
I wouldn’t use the word “obscene,” but there is a bold, vulnerable honesty to it. And as I sang those words, I realized in a brand new way, that yes, I need you to survive—or what will become of me? What will become of us?
Jesus says to all of us, “I need you to survive.”
But one event really stuck out for me, and it was the closing worship service, featuring the choir from Valley Stream Presbyterian Church from Long Island. This white guy was once again introduced to the deep well of the African-American spiritual tradition. I was moved by their performance of Hezekiah Walker’s “I Need You to Survive.”
If ‘I Need You to Survive’ is situated squarely on the line between romantic and spiritual love that makes gospel such a compelling musical genre, it’s also about the territory that personal relationships and political movements have in common. Telling someone ‘I need you to survive’ is such a raw statement that it feels almost obscene to utter aloud.” (June 19, 2015)
I wouldn’t use the word “obscene,” but there is a bold, vulnerable honesty to it. And as I sang those words, I realized in a brand new way, that yes, I need you to survive—or what will become of me? What will become of us?
Jesus says to all of us, “I need you to survive.”
“I need you,
you need me. / We’re all a part of God’s body. / Stand with me, agree with me.
/ We’re all a part of God’s body.
“It is his will, that every need be supplied. / You are important to me, I need you to survive. / You are important to me, I need you to survive.
“I pray for you, you pray for me. / I love you, I need you to survive. / I won’t harm you with words from my mouth. / I love you, I need you to survive.
“It is his will, that every need be supplied. / You are important to me, I need you to survive.”
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