I is for Influence by Sandi Somers

Have you ever wondered how your writing influences others?

 Two weeks before my mother passed, our church sang, “Be Still My Soul,” I was deeply moved, thinking of Mom, who at almost 95, had always been a strong woman, invincible almost. It was hard for me to let her go. In the days that followed, I wondered how the song became linked with the music of ““Finlandia””, by Jean Sebelius.

 I dug into its history.

 Kathurana Von Schlegel, (1697 to 1768), began a series of links when she wrote the words to a hymn, which is known today as “Be Still My Soul.” Then in the 1800's, a Scottish hymn writer translated the lyrics from German into English.

 The next link in the chain occurred in Finland in 1899. Finland at the time was a province of Russia, having been conquered and annexed in 1809. The Finns, however, continued their deep feelings of nationalism and took increasing pride in their country and culture. In 1899, Czar Nicholas II appointed a Russian Governor and made Russian the official language. Jean Sibelius, a Finnish musician, composed the music of “Finlandia” in support of Finnish nationalism against Russian oppression. This symphonic poem begins with dynamic and turbulent music, reflecting a defiance of Russia. Then out of the tumult, a calm comforting hymn emerges. (When Russia overthrew Czar Nicholas II in 1917, Finland declared its freedom.)

 More than twenty years later, David Evans, a Welsh Oxford-trained musician, paired the English translation of “Be Still My Soul” with “Finlandia”. When it was added to the Revised Church Hymnal in 1927, it became the well-known hymn of today.

 Years later, in Ecuador in 1956, a group of missionaries attempted to reach the Auca tribe (known today as the Waorani). Deep in the jungle, this tribe was hostile towards outsiders who tried to encroach on their territory. The missionary team had been praying and making overtures of peace to this group, flying in the mission's Cessna and dropping goodwill parcels. But one day four of the men, along with their pilot, took a further step. They landed along the riverbank, hoping to solidify their overtures of peace.

 The night before this venture, Jim Elliot, husband of writer Elisabeth Elliot, one of the five, sang "Be still my Soul." It was the last song he sang. Because the Auca met the missionaries with spears.  All five missionaries were killed. Their bodies were recovered, some still with spears in their backs, some floating in the water. They left behind wives and young children.

 When I heard this hymn just before my mother died, this song had such an impact on me that my sisters and I chose it for Mom’s memorial service. It still brings tears as I listen to it.

 Little did Kathurana Von Schlegel know how her work would influence others for three centuries.

 As we venture at our desks typing words and paragraphs, as we publish and promote what we have produced, we will never know how God intends to use our works of art, now and in future generations.  But we can praise God for our talent and ask Him to influence many others.

 Listen to “Be Still My Soul” here.

Listen to all of “Finlandia” here.

(Image by Christ Church Cathedral)