Beloved of God (From Amanokrom to Ann Arbor and Beyond)

INTRO — SPOKEN OVER SOFT ORGAN Concerning Benjamin, Moses said: He is the beloved of God, living in safety beside Him. God surrounds him with loving care, and keeps him from every harm. Deuteronomy thirty-three, verse twelve. VERSE 1 — AMANOKROM, GUITAR AND SOFT TALKING DRUM On the Akuapem Ridge at morning, Where the mist lies on the hill, In Amanokrom a boy was rising— God was shaping him, and still Every footpath, every lesson, Every church bell, every prayer, Was a thread of grace and calling, And the Lord was weaving there. CHORUS — CHOIR ENTERS Beloved of God, you live in safety, Close beside Him all the day long. He surrounds you with His loving care, Keeps you from all harm and makes you strong. Ben, Benjamin, son of His right hand, Kept by grace and in His love you stand. VERSE 2 — PRESEC AND MEDICAL SCHOOL, FULLER Down to Legon, PRESEC called him, Kwansa House and lessons long, Then the healer's road at Korle Bu, Eighty-eight, the calling strong. Not by cleverness or striving, But by mercy you were known; You were held before you knew it, You were never yours alone. VERSE 3 — ANN ARBOR, STRINGS ENTER Then across the wide Atlantic, To the Michigan snow and pine, Reading light within the body, Healing work and patient line. In the halls of Ann Arbor's learning, Serving veterans, serving well, Every image, every number, Of His faithfulness would tell. PRE-CHORUS — VOICES RISING In the morning, in the evening, In the shadow, in the sun, He surrounds you, He is keeping, Till the day is done. CHORUS — FULLER Beloved of God, you live in safety, Close beside Him all the day long. He surrounds you with His loving care, Keeps you from all harm and makes you strong. Ben, Benjamin, son of His right hand, Kept by grace and in His love you stand. VERSE 4 — 1998, QUIET AND TENDER, PIANO AND VOICE Then in ninety-eight the road was turned, And the path you planned was gone; But the hand that held you never faltered, And His mercy carried on. Not a life undone but redirected, Not abandoned, but remade; In the valley He was nearer, And His love was not afraid. VERSE 5 — EAST LANSING AND BEYOND, BUILDING Now in East Lansing, books and teaching, Words and numbers, pen and page, Stories told for generations, Wisdom offered, age to age. With the wife God gave beside you, With His people, church and friend, From Amanokrom to Ann Arbor, And beyond, to journey's end. BRIDGE — PRAYERFUL, ORGAN AND VOICE Not the strong arm of the mighty, Not the wisdom of the wise, But the Shepherd's arms surround you Till you see Him with your eyes. Underneath, the arms eternal; Over you, His wings of peace; Of His covenant and kindness There shall never be release. KEY LIFT — BRASS, TALKING DRUM AND FULL CHOIR FINAL CHORUS — TRIUMPHANT, FIRST PERSON Beloved of God, I live in safety, Close beside Him all the day long. He surrounds me with His loving care, Keeps me from all harm and makes me strong. From Amanokrom to Ann Arbor and beyond, Kept by grace, in His great love I stand! OUTRO — CHOIR SOFTLY, ORGAN AND GUITAR Loving care… all the day long… Safe beside Him, kept from harm. Nyame, medaase… Nyame, medaase… SPOKEN — WHISPERED BENEDICTION Beloved of God, safe beside Him, surrounded by His loving care. Amen. END