FAITH

STORY BEHIND THE SONG: Destin-inspired song takes on new meaning

Pam Griffin

pgriffin@thedestinlog.com

UPDATE: This article was originally written in June 2010. There were some on Facebook talking about it recently, so this is a part of the article. Originally written for Hurricane Opal, it found its way back to Destin for the Gulf Oil spill … and now it's for those experiencing Hurricane Harvey.

When Connie Boerner wrote these words in 1995, she had no idea her song “Lord of the Winds” would find its way back to Destin in 2010.

“Lord of the winds, Lord of the sea

Only in You do I find my peace

The words that you speak, bring comfort to me

Only in You, do I find my peace.”

The song, dedicated to the BP Gulf Oil spill disaster of 2010, was written in 1995 a few days before Hurricane Opal, a Category 4 hurricane, ravaged Destin.

“I hesitate to even take ownership of this song because it was very clearly given by Jesus to the people in the Gulf who would be suffering at the powerful hands of Hurricane Opal,” Boerner told The Log. “It is his song; I simply was his scribe. He gets all the glory, no one else.”

As she sat in her living room in Wisconsin, the song was given to Boerner as she prepared to visit Destin for a Pastoral Care Ministries conference scheduled at St. Andrews-By-the-Sea.

“I was reading from the book of Matthew about Jesus sleeping in the bow of the boat as a severe storm hit,” she explained. “The disciples were extremely terrified and looked to Jesus for help. He spoke to the winds and the sea to be still. It immediately became calm. The melody of ‘Lord of the Winds’ fell into my heart as I read, and the words began to ride on top of the melody.”

“You're telling me

‘Peace, my child

For I am your God

Be not afraid …

Only believe in My love

Fear not what you see

But look up to Me

I am the Lord of the winds and the sea

I am the Lord of the winds and the sea.’”

Boerner quickly wrote out the song and brought it to Destin a few days after Opal, as the conference was held in spite of the widespread damage and difficulties in housing and food for those attending.

“We sang it all week and it became the theme song that God used to soothe the fears and wounds of those who attended the event, and beyond,” Boerner said. “I truly hope that he will continue to use this melody to minister to those who today are struggling once again with an oil disaster that carries with it tremendous struggles and trials of huge proportion.”

Boerner, a worship leader and composer, shared her musical gifts for many years. With a heart for people to know Jesus, she has helped guide worshipers into the Lord’s presence and has been a speaker for many conferences, retreats and community outreaches throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.

“May the Lord receive all the credit for the song, to him alone be the glory,” said Boerner. “He loves the people who live in the Gulf. As we cry out to him, he will show himself faithful. I will continue to intercede for all who live in this area. My heart stands with them.”