He visited a church. It left him so “scared” that he wrote one of his best-known songs about the experience. But what happened – or didn’t happen – after?
I’m referring to Burton Cummings, the pride of Winnipeg, Manitoba, leader of the Guess Who, one of Canada’s best known classic rock bands and a well-known solo singer/songwriter/pianist.
During the 1970s, Cummings was in New York City and visited St. Thomas Church. His time inside that glorious cathedral was so moving, he wrote ‘I’m Scared’, a song on his first solo CD that he still performs today.
Stopped by to see St. Thomas, on a cold and dreary New York afternoon
Something in the air was oh so rare
I don’t know what it was but I know that it’s still right there
and I’m scared.
As Cummings said years later, during a reverential 2011 YouTube video tour of the church, “There was a presence, definitely a presence”.
In fact, the lyrics to ‘I’m Scared’ say this:
Never been much on religion, but I sure enough would like to hear the call.
Come on now, give me a sign you’re listening to me
You hear me talking, you hear me crying, it’s confusing to me Lord, I’m terrified.
So as far as I can tell, God DID give him a sign He was listening. He knew about Cummings’ spiritual emptiness, brought him to St. Thomas Church and touched his soul in a way he’d probably never before experienced.
And yet, every other recording, TV or radio interview, video (including one on his latest studio CD, Above The Ground, which is laced with F-bombs) and all the blogs on his website make it clear that Cummings didn’t respond to God. God gave him a sign and Cummings turned his eyes away.
Certainly, that’s the easiest thing to do in our culture, which seems to regard most spirituality with suspicion and Christianity with outright contempt. But in doing the easy thing, Cummings is still left with a spiritual hole – just read between the lines of his blog entries and you can see it for yourself.
For many years, I did the same thing as Cummings. Through my experiences and encounters with people who followed Jesus, God reached out to me and invited me to connect with Him through His Son.
It had almost nothing to do with “religion”, but everything to do with a life-long, life-enhancing relationship that would continue after my time on this planet is done. And until 2002, I ignored it.
Has this ever happened to you? Do you recall an experience laced with a presence you can only call “God”? If yes, why not revisit it? Then post a comment below (or, if you want more privacy, email me at fdking@hotmail.com) and let’s have a conversation.
It took me a long time to see God at work in my life (He has infinite patience, doesn’t He?) but, finally, I saw His light. He kept placing it on my heart to visit a church I passed every day on the way to work When I finally decided to attend, I had an awesome experience; as I entered, I heard His voice, clear as day, tell me, “Welcome home!” Wow! I still get goosebumps when I think of this.
Great post, Frank, as always!
Blessings to you!
You were brave to go on your own that first time, Martha. Most people avoid potentially unsettling experiences – especially if those experiences involve church, which our culture views with suspicion or worse.
Thank you for writing this. I’ve always wondered what happened in New York on that dreary afternoon. God was calling Burton, but he rejected Him. Let those of us who know the Lord pray for Burton. It’s not too late, but it’s getting there.
God is always first in my life 😍 find looking back he was always there for me❤ couldn’t live with knowing he is Guiding my path. God is Good all the time!
This is one of my favourite songs of all time, and I couldn’t guess the number of times I’ve listened to it. Please pray for Burton. He had an experience with the Lord and apparently rejected Him, but it’s not over til it’s over. God never gives up on us, and I pray that Burton will give his life to Him before this part of his life is over.