In the secret of thy presence where the pure in heart may dwell,

Are the springs of sacred service and a power that none can tell.

There my love must bring its offering. There my heart must yield its praise,

And the Lord will come, revealing all the secrets of his ways.

Albert Orsborn (1886-1967) SASB 766

From where springs the inspiration of great poets and songwriters? By great I mean inspiration and word crafting that touches us in the depths of our souls, stirs our hearts, and moves us to seek greater intimacy with God. Such is the work of Charles Wesley, Albert Orsborn, and Catherine Baird. In the first verse of this particular piece, Salvation Army General Albert Orsborn captures the Apostle Paul’s prayer (Ephesians 3:16&17) –      “I pray that out of his (God the Father’s) glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” It occurs to me that the inspiration of great poets/songwriters derives from the same source as Paul’s writings, from their prayer life in the dwelling intimacy of in their inner life with God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Inspiration comes from taking the time to dwell in the secret, intimate space of God’s presence. It is where the pure in heart find rest, reflection and renewal. Dwelling in his presence is where inspired saints become “participants of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). From that privileged position flows the creative articulation of what is on God’s heart. It is how God as Trinity lets us in on the conversation and does so for the purpose, like Paul, of passing it on to others. In the secret of God’s presence he inspires (breaths into), informs, and stirs our hearts to expire (breath out) the creative words that reveal “all the secrets of his ways.”  Thanks be to God!

Take time to be holy, speak oft with they Lord,

Abide in him always, and feed on his word . . .