One Day More

Tomorrow we'll discover what our God in Heaven has in store...one more dawn...one more day...one day more!

During my years at Springfield Friends Meeting we often spent the days before Thanksgiving in New York City as part of a larger group from Friends United Meeting.  We were there in 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992 and 1993, and my best guess is that about 40 different youth from Springfield were able to visit the Big Apple as part of these trips.  We always went to a Broadway play, and in  '89  Doyle Craven got us tickets to one of the biggest shows ever, Les Miserables.  In the years that would follow, I would see Les Miz 11 times on Broadway at the Imperial Theater (at left).  It is without peer as a musical and an inspiration.

Victor Hugo's story of sin, redemption and revolution is complex, so I will not attempt to sum it up here.  I will tell you that it is the story of Jean Valjean, a thief who is given a chance at a new life by a priest who Valjean has just robbed.  The priest offers grace and forgiveness, telling Valjean that he has "bought his soul for God."  Valjean then goes on to live his life in service to God and others.  The entire time he is in violation of his parole and living under a false identity.  An officer of the law, Javert, pursues him over the years.  Javert sees only the law (Can you say Pharisee?) and in the end cannot live with the idea of forgiveness.  That story is woven into the lives of wealthy students standing up for the rights of the poor and oppressed in Paris in the early 1800's.  These students end up giving their lives for what they believe in. 

The first time I saw the show I had no clue as to what I was in for, but I was sitting between Marilyn and Heather Beggs.  Heather knew the music and the story, and knew that at some point a terrible tragedy would befall one of the female characters, Eponine.  In preparation, Heather started crying early and often.  She was sobbing so loudly at one point she had to leave the theater.  We made fun of Heather for a long time about her tears, but the truth is Les Miz made me shed tears every time I saw it.  Listening to the soundtrack still gives me goosebumps. 

I have done a number of sermons over the years using this story, because it is a tale of faith and redemption.  Javert believes we are saved by the law; Valjean understands the law is nothing without grace. The words of the finale describe in vivid detail the human struggle and the search for God.  I share them here:

Do you hear the people sing, lost in the valley of the night

It is the music of a people who are climbing to the light

For the wretched of the earth there is a flame that never dies

Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise

We will live again in freedom in the garden of the Lord

We will walk behind the plow-share, we will put away the sword

The chain will be broken and all men will have their reward...

Will you join in our crusade, who will be strong and stand with me?

Somewhere beyond the barricade is there a world you long to see?

Do you hear the people sing, say do you hear the distant drums?

It is the future that they bring when tomorrow comes...

Isn't that who we hope to be- a people who are climbing to the light?  Are we willing to push beyond the barricades and see others as God sees them?  Who will "stand strong" and praise God for His faithfulness?  Stop and give thanks this holiday season for the love of God expressed in the gift of Jesus.  In the video posted below (featuring Colm Wilkinson, the first Valjean I ever saw) a reunion cast shares the first act finale, One Day More.  You hear the conflict and the passion of all the major characters, and it all comes down to this: God is in control, so go with God!  And remember the truth that once was spoken- to love another person is to see the face of God...