Post Number Fifty-Three: A LA ORILLA

La Orilla

There is a popular hymn in our hymnal.  Its title in English is Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore. It is number 344.  We sing it frequently when we meet at Lake Huron Retreat Center or for Sunday worship at Lake Louise.  We sing it in celebration of peace and meeting God in the beauty of nature.  We sing.  We sway. We hold hands.  Over the years I have been part of many such moments.  Often it perfectly represents my spirit.  But not now.

The title in Spanish is: Tu Has Venido a la Orilla.  I have learned that La Orilla is more properly translated as edge rather than lakeshore.  Orilla is the place of transition; the place where one reality gives way to another.  Orilla is the place of change.  It may be lovely to think that we meet God in the serenity of nature. It transforms everything when we remember that God meets us a la Orilla - at the place where one reality gives way to another. 

La Orilla is where I live these days.  La Orilla is where  most of us live at one time or another. This is not a beautiful serene place.  It is a place of uncertainty and anxiety.  It is a place not of my own chosing, but a real place none the less.  The hymn is a gift because it reminds me that at the edge place (a la Orilla) God waits with no thought as to my wealth or posessions.  At the edge place God asks only that I follow humbly. At the edge place God calls my name and with a smile directs me to a new reality - to seek other seas.

Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

(verse 1)

Lord, you have come to the Lakeshore,

looking neither for wealthy nor wise ones.

You only asked me to follow humbly.

(chorus)

O Lord, with your eyes you have searched me,

and while smiling,have spoken my name.

Now my boats left on the shoreline behind me,

By your side, I will seek other seas.

(verse 2)

You know so well my possessions.

My boat carries no gold and no weapons.

You will find there, my nets and labor.

(back to chorus)

(verse 3)

You need my hands full of caring,

through my labors to give others rest,

and constant love that keeps on loving.

(chorus)

(verse 4)

You, who have fished other oceans,

ever longed for by souls who are waiting,

my loving friend, as thus you call me.

(chorus)

Comments

[Matthew J. Packer]

Thank you for sharing this. You have deepened my appreciation for this song with the translation of "orilla" as "edge." I've spent several years on the edge as a result of divorce, and, even in the midst of new beginnings and blessings beyond my deserving, I still struggle with guilt from what was that mars the joy of what is. Living in the moment, as you wrote about, is indeed a difficult struggle. Blessings to you as you continue in your own time on the edge. In many ways this is a "lonesome valley" you must cross yourself. In other ways, though, you are not alone, and I hope there is some comfort in knowing that others are with you in your struggle, as you are in theirs.