Grab a tissue, you will be moved to tears at the chilling ‘Amazing Grace’ rendition that marked the reopening of Norte Dame in Paris. There is something about the song ‘Amazing Grace’ that infiltrates our hearts and helps us focus on the Lord. Everything else in life is stripped away as we focus on the powerful words that are the anthem of Christ's followers everywhere. 

It couldn’t have been a more perfect song if there ever was one when Gustavo Dudamel and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, along with soprano Pretty Yende, worked together to create a masterpiece out of the song. At its grand reopening, the fitting song was sung for the entire world to hear as he echoed through the walls of the cathedral. The music flowed through the place that had been once consumed by flames in a 2019 fire. 

‘Amazing grace, how sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me

I once was lost, but now I'm found

Was blind, but now I see’

Pretty Yende’s voice echoed like a long-lost angel coming home to the church as she sang the precious words. Her voice hushed the crowd in awe-like wonder.  

As she sang the words above, I couldn’t help but remember the fire, the devastation, and how so many people tried to save the church from the fire. Then, when it was in mere ashes, everyone was determined to rebuild the church to its former glory. Isn’t that so like God? He takes what was broken and over time, He restores it into something even more beautiful than before. Norte Dame is a powerful reminder of God’s ability to redeem and restore what’s been lost. 

Today, as we watch this beautiful song being sung, let’s remember to lean into the truth. Just as the cathedral stood tall and proud once more, our hearts can stand tall in God’s love and grace, knowing He restores all. 

John 1:16 “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”