Art is not birthed in a vacuum, nor is it produced solely from a life
of blissful devotion and ongoing prayer and song. Art is often brought
forth from hardship and struggle, turmoil and tears. There is something
about a troubled soul that taps into both the reality of our fallen
condition and the hope of something greater than ourselves. Such is the
life of William Cowper, the troubled but gifted artist whose hymns have
been sung in many different languages for more than two centuries.
William Cowper was born on November 26, 1731, in England. His father
was a pastor, and his mother died when he was 6 years old. For most of
his life Cowper was plagued with a dark depression. At the age of 31 he
tried three times to take his own life and was soon admitted to St.
Albans Insane Asylum for recovery. Ironically, that is where Cowper came
to faith. Using the lyrics from his hymn "Sometimes a Light Surprises,"
I'd like to discuss a few themes that flow out of the life of William
Cowper and artists in general.
Art and Creativity Bring Us Life
Sometimes a light surprises the Christian while he sings; it is the Lord who rises with healing in his wings.
Virtually my entire life has centered on playing the guitar and making
music. When I was 25 I experienced a severe injury severing nerves,
tendons, and an artery in the palm of my right hand. On my way into
surgery all I wanted to know was, "Will I ever be able to play the
guitar again?" From the beginning the guitar took hold of me more than I
took hold of it. Making music has been a source of life to me through
all of the various seasons I have endured. My wife, Allison, often tells
people, "If my husband isn't creating, he's not living." Keep Reading >>>
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