Connected to Jesus – A Quiet Strength, Part 2
“My faith has found a resting place” serves as the opening declaration in one of Eliza Edmunds Hewitt’s most-loved hymns. What was the resting place Eliza found for her faith? A Person. The ever-living One. Jesus.
“My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device nor creed;
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.”
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Again, we find inspiration in the life of a woman who found a quiet strength in Jesus. At rest. Connected to Jesus. Rooted.
Eliza Edmunds Hewitt was born in Philadelphia on June 28, 1851. She was educated in the public schools. After graduation from high school, Eliza became a teacher. However, a severe spinal malady early in her career required many years of convalescence. During her time as a shut-in, Eliza, feeling a need to be useful to her church, began writing poems for the primary department. Some of her poems were discovered by Professor John R. Sweney. He set a few of them to music. Sweney and William J. Kirkpatrick published her first hymns. Eliza was a close friend of Fanny Crosby and the two often met to have fellowship and talk about hymns.
It is no surprise that the same woman who penned the words to “My Faith Has Found a Resting Place” is also the author of the hymn “More About Jesus.”
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of his saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
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We remember Eliza Hewitt today because of those hymns. Had she never been bed-ridden, she might not have written them.
Find Rest
A contemporary musician, Audrey Assad, shares a similar declaration in her song, “Restless”
“I’m restless…’til I rest in you.” video
When I contemplate restlessness, I am reminded of the tragic declaration God made over Cain’s life: “You will be a restless wanderer on the earth.” (Genesis 4:12)
“After that, Cain went out from the LORD’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.” (Genesis 4:16) What a tragedy! Leaving the presence of God. Disconnected.
This is not the life God has intended for us. Instead, God invites us to find life and connectedness in Christ. Accept the invitation.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. – Colossians 2:6-7
