Winter is Coming

"A Hazy Shade of Winter" (listen to it here) was written by Paul Simon in the early sixties and appears on Simon & Garfunkel's fourth studio album, Bookends (1968). The song is a metaphor for a life which draws upon the transition from fall to winter. It speaks of a person who once had great hope, but as time goes on, hope is slowly transitioning to uncertainty. There is a haze through which the writer cannot see clearly. He listens to the Salvation Army Band for inspiration but it is unclear if this gives him any peace. Ultimately, he rejects the message of salvation and turns back to his vodka and lime while reading his collection of incomplete rhymes. It is a mid-life crisis song in which the singer wonders if he has accomplished anything in his life and longs for something more; he longs to be remembered. He recognizes that it should be the springtime of his life, but the patch of snow on the ground tells him that winter is coming.

Hazy Shade of Winter 

Time, time time, see what's become of me

While I looked around for my possibilities

I was so hard to please

But look around

The leaves are brown

And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hear the Salvation Army band

Down by the riverside, there's bound to be a better ride

Than what you've got planned

Carry your cup in your hand

And look around you

Leaves are brown, now

And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Hang on to your hopes, my friend

That's an easy thing to say

But if your hopes should pass away

Simply pretend that you can build them again

Look around

The grass is high

The fields are ripe

It's the springtime of my life

Seasons change with the scenery

Weaving time in a tapestry

Won't you stop and remember me

At any convenient time?

Funny how my memory skips while looking over manuscripts

Of unpublished rhyme

Drinking my vodka and lime 

I look around

Leaves are brown, now

And the sky is a hazy shade of winter

Look around

Leaves are brown

There's a patch of snow on the ground

Look around

Leaves are brown

There's a patch of snow on the ground

Look around

Leaves are brown

There's a patch of snow on the ground

Words and music written by Paul Simon; published by Universal Music Publishing Group ©.

Working Out My Own Salvation

In Philippians 2:5-11, the Apostle Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, writes one of the clearest theological expressions in the New Testament when he says,

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Immediately after writing this he states,

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2: 12, 13)

What does this follower of Jesus mean when he says "continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling"? Further reflection will show us two clues within this chapter. First, he states that it is "God who works in you [and us] to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." We will work out our own salvation as we submit our will to God's will. My will leads to my good pleasure; but if I allow God to work in me to seek his will, I will accomplish his good purpose.

The second clue to the meaning of "working out our own salvation . . ." is found in verses two through four of this chapter: "make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." The Apostle tells us what poets, philosophers, screen-writers, and theologians have reiterated for centuries since Paul's words were written: have love. That is, let love be your motivation. He reminds us that love is not selfish or vain but rather humble, values others above ourselves (a tall order, I know), and genuinely cares about the interests and concerns of others.

Suddenly, working out my own salvation is not about digging deeper into theological books to find the latest explanations on salvation (remember, you will need to look under soteriology in the larger of those books); nor is it about doing what I think makes the most sense and how I would like to be saved. "Working out my own salvation with fear and trembling" starts with awe and respect for the Lord of the universe who "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" and continues with asking this same God to be at work in making my will, his will; and further continues with love, that verb which speaks of putting the needs of others ahead of the wants (and yes, needs) of my life.

Today, I have a whole new year ahead of myself to "work out my own salvation with fear and trembling." I think I will get at it by going to the kitchen and doing the dishes.