And above all these, put on love which binds everything together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:14
The ties that bind is described thusly: “an idiom describing the shared forces, relationships or beliefs that connect people and create cohesion, loyalty, or mutual dependence.” Most of the time, these ties can include emotional, social, or familial in nature.
This past weekend, Randy and I joined with his extended family, friends, and others in a celebration of the life of his first cousin, Rusty. There are many things Randy and I have in common, but one of the most precious things is the closeness of our extended families.
As we gathered together to celebrate Rusty, the gathering was full of stories of his humor, his love of life, and his love for his family and friends. After hearing inspiring messages by his sister, brother in law, daughter and son, Randy closed it out by reminding us of the three most important ties that bind us: family, friends, and faith.
As all the cousins arrived, it was much like a sense of coming home for each of them just seeing each other. Ties that bind hold us together during times of loss and during times of joy. Even though families are scattered, the ties of childhood and the ties of memories shared bind them forever. The ties that bind.
Each of the friends who attended, many who came from other states, were eager to share their deep respect, admiration and love. They were eager to tell stories of how Rusty was supportive of them during hard times, never failed to stay in touch, and the quality time they spent doing things together. These are the ties that bind.
The faith that he shared with his family and friends was obvious in the consistent life he lived. He consistently loved life, his family, and his friends. The ties that bind.
It is never easy to face life without a person you love by your side, but there will always be the ties that bind us in heaven as well as on earth.
I love the story of John Fawcett who wrote the hymn, Blest Be The Tie That Binds! He was born in 1740 near the town of Yorkshire, England, and he was orphaned at the age of 12. John was forced to work 16 hours a day in a sweatshop, and he learned to read by candlelight during the traumatic years of his youth. He finally mastered Pilgrim’s Progress, the devotional classic by John Bunyan. He was later converted by the evangelist, George Whitfield.
He began his own ministry at a poor church in Wainsgate in northern England where the parishioners could only afford to pay him a minimal salary, partly in potatoes and wool.
After seven years, he received a call to a prestigious church in London. He accepted the call and preached his final sermon at Wainsgate. The wagons were loaded with his books and furniture, and all was ready for departure, when the parishioners gathered around him, and with tears in their eyes, begged him to stay.
His wife said, “John, I cannot bear to leave.” “Neither can I,” said John, “and we will not go!” Later, he wrote a hymn for this congregation at Winsgate entitled, Blest Be The Tie That Binds, recognizing the hands of love he knew in this congregation.
Blest be the tie that binds, Our hearts in Christian love. The fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above. We share each other’s woes, each other’s burdens bear, And often for each flows, the sympathizing tear. When we asunder part, it gives us inward pain, but we shall still be joined in heart, And hope to meet again.
The ties that bind us are many, and whether we are here on earth or have received our reward in heaven, we are still joined in heart and will meet again.
