Charles Albert Tindley… and a punching bag

I bought a punching bag last year and after about two sessions using the bag I damaged my hand, slightly. So I stopped using the bag. Nevertheless, since that time I have noticed Jalen using the bag occasionally. So it hasn’t gone to waste. A few days ago, I noticed the zip at the top of the bag had opened up and some of the stuffing of the bag was showing (stay with me I’m going somewhere😊). I went to close the zipper and then realized that not only was the zip handle broken but the zip itself was stuck. I then proceeded to unhook the bag so that I could maneuver the zip back into position. This was extremely difficult and painstaking to say the least. It took me close to 30 minutes to get the zip back to the starting point. I had almost given up, thinking I might as well buy a new one, but instead I persevered. Why did it take so long? Moving the zipper backwards at almost every tooth on the zip I had to clear the stuffing from getting in between.

This reminded me of a song written by Charles Albert Tindley—Nothing Between, a household favorite hymn growing up.

Anyone who has had a zipper stuck knows it could be a pain to unzip. The last words of this song aptly describe what it takes to unzip—Keep the way clear! Let nothing between.

Here’s a little more about the songwriter. Charles Tindley has written some of the most powerful gospel songs. Song’s such as: Beams of Heaven (Someday); We’ll Understand it By and By; I’ll Overcome Someday—which lyrically descended into the anthem of the civil rights movement—We Shall Overcome.

Tindley (July 7, 1851 – July 26, 1933) became a Methodist minister who founded one of the largest black churches in Philadelphia now known as Tindley Temple. He was born in Berlin, Maryland, to a ‘free’ mother and a slave father. He taught himself to read from newspaper clippings and solicited tutors to help him learn independently. By the end of his life he became known as the ‘Prince of Preachers’ and had received honorary doctoral degrees from Morgan State University and Bennett College.

I’m inspired by the words of this song—Nothing Between. I trust that the sentiments found in the words encourage us to stay committed and connected, so that one day, ‘His blessed face may be seen.’

Nothing Between by Charles A. Tindley:

1

Nothing between my soul and my Savior,

naught of this world’s delusive dream;

I have renounced all sinful pleasure;

Jesus is mine, there’s nothing between.

Refrain

Nothing between my soul and my Savior,

so that his blessed face may be seen;

nothing preventing the least of his favor;

keep the way clear! let nothing between.

2

Nothing between, like worldly pleasure;

habits of life, though harmless they seem,

must not my heart from him ever sever;

he is my all, there’s nothing between.

3

Nothing between, e’en many hard trials,

though the whole world against me convene;

watching with prayer and much self denial,

I’ll triumph at last, there’s nothing between. 

******
Reference:

Charles Albert Tindley-Wikipedia