George Matheson (1842-1906) was loving life. He was a stellar student at the University of Glasgow and newly engaged to be married. Then, his doctor delivered the fateful news that his degenerative eye condition was irreversible. George shared the sobering news of his progressive blindness with his fiancée. She returned his engagement ring with a note, “I cannot see my way clear to go through life bound by the chains of marriage to a blind man.” George was understandably devastated.
George’s sister invited him to take up residence in her home, thereby making it possible for George to complete his studies. For years, she read the Bible to her brother and helped him prepare, learn and transcribe his sermons. His preaching became known all over Scotland. Even Queen Victoria asked him to preach at her castle.
Fast forward to 1882. George turned forty and it was the evening after his sister’s marriage. He was alone at the house and the wedding brought back painful reminders of his own broken engagement. A song formed in his head in a matter of minutes. He wrote of the moment, “I had the impression that it was being dictated to me.” Knowing the background causes the opening lines of his well-known hymn, “O Love that will not let me go, I rest my weary soul in thee” to come alive. His words in the final verse, “I trace the rainbow through the rain” are among my favorite one-liners in a hymn.
George has earned the right to lead us into prayer: