William Becton & Friends. I don’t expect you to know who they are, and before 2000 I had no real idea who they were either. In my early months in Stoke-on-Trent I was exposed to some more black gospel artists than I was used to and among them was the aforementioned William Becton & Friends. In particular I came across his album B2k: Prophetic Songs of Promise. I’m sure he wasn’t cashing in on the whole 2k issue cracking off way back at the end of the 90’s. (Cough-cough.)
It’s a cool underrated album with a fairly diverse range of music that’s meant to appeal to those who like the more contemporary style of gospel. Among the tracks though, there is one called He’s In The Midst Of It All. It is a lovely chilled laid-back tune with a lyrical encouragement to know that whatever issues we are going through, however bad it may appear to be that the presence of God is right there to bring peace. Great tune. Good album.
Y’know what tends to happen to great tunes. They tend to become embedded in your soundscape, so even having never heard it for months and years, something will trigger it and you’ll want to hear the real thing, but equally content yourself with what you recall in your head. So there I was having a right go at no one. I was sounding off about the various injustices I was facing and how down it made me feel. Poor Authrine was a slight bit concerned at the nature of my outburst and, as Dionne and later Aretha taught her, she said a little prayer for me.
Sometimes it is about having the loved one there to hear you rant on that makes you stop and reflect on what you’re ranting about. Thank God as I reflected so was triggered the memory of that song and the presence it sung of became evident to me in that way that allowed me to feel again truly loved even in the middle of the situation. It did not change the situation, but it did change my perspective of the situation. People did not change, but my view of them did. Just being reminded that as I walk, Jesus walks with me, and just as I feel enraged by injustice, He knows what it is to express righteously indignation at the true wrongs that afflict our world. Just as He remained at peace through it all, so He gives peace to me in it as I remember. I remember that as I am right in the middle of it, so is He and He is there to guide me through it if I but keep my focus on Him and refuse to be distracted.
Those triggers, those reminders, those words, those sentiments – that reality is something that reassures and comforts me. They help me not to become impulsive and do something I will regret. They help me to smile when I should frown. They help me to have hope, even where it would not appear hope is anywhere in sight.
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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