"Take Me to the Mountain:" Singing Andrew Peterson at the Easter Vigil

Moab Cairn - Nickoloff, 2012

The Easter Vigil at House for All Sinners and Saints epitomizes our motto of "anti-excellence, pro-participation" - with a lot of celebration added to the mix.  This manifests itself especially during the Vigil readings, the time when the community tells stories from the Old Testament of the saving ways of God with God's people Israel.  At HFASS, various folks volunteer to recast the story in unique, creative, and often hilarious ways.

This year, I took on the not-so-hilarious tale of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac (see Genesis 22).  This story took on particular poignancy for me now that I have children of my own, and especially because of the gift of a son of my own, our six-month-old, Matthias.  We're also preparing for the end of internship, which means leaving HFASS, Casa Karibu, our family and friends, and much we hold dear here in Denver.  Letting go, it seems, has always been a rather unfortunate part of the whole faith-trust-grace deal.  

Thankfully, songwriter Andrew Peterson has already penned what I consider one of the most powerful "Christian" songs of all time, and it happens to be about Abraham and Isaac.  Rather than try to match it, I covered it with a few slight adaptations.  I managed to record a take when I was practicing earlier in the day, which I include below, along with Peterson's lyrics.  Hope it ministers to anyone else in the midst of death, change and trial, as it continues to minister to me.    



"Holy is the Lord" by Andrew Peterson


Wake up little Isaac
And rub your tired eyes
Go and kiss your mama
Well be gone a little while
Come and walk beside me
Come and hold your papas hand
I go to make an altar
And to offer up my lamb


I waited on the Lord
And in a waking dream He came
Riding on a wind across the sand
He spoke my name
Here I am, I whispered
And I waited in the dark
The answer was a sword
That came down hard upon my heart

Matthias and me at the Great Southern Window
Moab, 2012

Holy is the Lord
Holy is the Lord
And the Lord I will obey
Lord, help me I don't know the way


So take me to the mountain
I will follow where You lead
There I'll lay the body
Of the boy You gave to me
And even though You take him
Still I ever will obey
But Maker of this mountain, please
Make another way


Holy is the Lord
Holy is the Lord

And the Lord I will obey
Help me for I do not know the way