Augmented

A major chord rings out in strength.

Root note, the third, and fifth.

It’s followed now by other ones,

The chords it is joined with.

Familiar notes, familiar sounds,

The chords are calm and full

One chord, the next, the song moves on,

Its sounds predictable.

As peaceful chords continue on,

A growing sense is felt

That something more is coming soon

The music grows and swells.

Then in a sudden turn of hand,

Fifth note moves up half step.

The smallest change, a little shift,

But with it chords augment.

The sound of song is different now,

There’s pain inside the chords.

Yet in the pain that’s present there,

It rings of something more.

One note is lifted higher up,

the sadness echoes strong.

Yet in the lifting, also heard

a sound of pressing on.

And why would it be otherwise?

Why not this pain, yet hope?

We know the story that it tells

That trouble brings forth growth.

Augment: enlarge in size or strength,

In number or extent.

Make greater, larger, more complete,

Or to make more intense.

These chords, they ring with words of old,

divinely revealed truth:

To gladly welcome trials in,

For what they will produce.

We count it joy, for when they come

Steadfastness we will see.

And when steadfastness is in full,

We will be found complete.

The pain and sorrow, joy and hope

Comingled strife and peace.

With chords augment completeness comes

Because of what it brings.

As we experience suffering,

His death becomes our own

We also see His riseness,

His power is made known.

It’s in the deepest of our pain

that Christ is often seen.

These swells of sadness point us home,

Remind us of what will be.

The notes align, they resonate

They tell a story true.

The sounds they bring are full of hope:

All things will be made new.