Songs say so much.
But first, back to television.
The BBC broadcast a BAFTA tribute to comedian Ronnie Barker some six years ago and in the run-up to the seasonal period where people would mention the Two Ronnies, they showed the tribute again. Hopefully you know how these deals go on. Lots of showbiz types turn up and they’ve got a lot of footage that highlights bits we know about the main guy with one or two bits that we don’t. Then of course there are the tributes from friends who couldn’t be there.
It wouldn’t be worth mentioning other than two things. Firstly I appreciate the talent of Ronnie Barker. He was an extraordinary man both in terms of his on-screen performance and his writing. As a writer myself (ha), I love those who can make the most of their words whether to educate, edify or entertain.
The second was at the end of the tribute where the man himself pops in to collect his BAFTA and give a speech. It is witty, of course, but the basis of the speech was his reference to ‘luck’ in terms of meeting the right people at the right place who opened the right doors for him to have accomplished all he has. He ended up with what came across as heartfelt thanks for being at the podium with his two best friends Ronnie Corbett and David Jason with whom he created iconic British television programmes in The Two Ronnies and Open All Hours. I don’t usually go for the sentimental deal – it’s in the contract of being a bloke. (Paragraph 3 and sentence 4 clearly states – leave it to the missus to get all mushy when the sentimental stuff comes on, especially if it’s a comedy tribute.) However I momentarily broke that rule with the makings of a tear on the corner of my eye. I quickly stiffened up though with the ‘stiff upper lip’ deal and said I’d blog about it instead.
Which brings me back to songs saying so much.
Jesus Is All The World To Me is a song in a church hymnal that I sang rather frequently without too much meaning. In the last 15 years, though, the reality of the song has come to bear. To a larger extent than Ronnie Barker’s gratitude for his friends, I am really grateful for Jesus being my friend.
As I stated earlier today, if Jesus was just Saviour, Redeemer, Lord and Son of God He would be worthy of my worship, but it wouldn’t be as intimate as it is to also know that He calls me friend and I’m His brother. I mean He not only rescues and restores me, He also sticks around as a mate. I get to talk to Him all the time. He understands me when others don’t. He’ll say the hard things to me that others might not. He’ll console me when I’m feeling low. He’ll even … yeah get this, He’ll even laugh at my jokes! Only to encourage me to use that to help others out in the same way that He helps me out. (There is of course the fact that my jokes are funny.)
Not only that though, but I am so amazed in Him being a Friend who lets me in on what He’s up to and how I play my part in the Kingdom scheme of things. He instructs me on how things are and the reality of things that I don’t see with me natural eye. He challenges and convicts me to not waste my life on foolishness and yet He still graciously waits and helps pick me up when I slip to keep my eye on the prize, which thankfully is Him.
I do get all teary thinking of what a great Friend He is to me, and how in that way He’s helped me be a better friend to those I’m honoured to call such, especially my beloved wife. I get teary because I didn’t think I was worth it. Maybe it’s not even a case of being worth it, but that the love of Jesus extended itself to me, so that regardless of what I think in Him and because of Him I have worth. Thus where before I was too busy being morose and thinking no one cared, now I’m content in my own company, because I’m not on my own. I have a Friend.
That is why I am so grateful for Jesus as the Son of God, as the Messiah, as this awesome Redeemer, as this brilliant Teacher, as this great Healer, as this Suffering Servant and yet as this majestic Lord who will return to fully establish His Kingdom. All of that fills me with great awe, wonder and worship.
Along with that, though, as that song says, He is all the world to me and I am glad that He is my Friend.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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