Be Thou My Vision

Quite a few weeks ago I sang this song for the first time at our church's women's conference. That night one of the ladies asked me if I would mind singing it for the church the next morning during service. I told her I'd be happy to, but unfortunately I woke up the next morning with a very sore throat and a sinus infection. So, obviously, I stayed home sick. Then a couple of weeks later she asked me a week ahead of time if I would mind singing it that next Sunday. Again, I of course told her I would. That happened to be the weekend my Dad went into the hospital. Therefore, us girls did not go to church and instead visited my parents at the hospital that morning. I felt bad about missing and not being able to sing it, but I knew that even though that might have been Satan's way of keeping that from happening, it was God's way of making it happen at just the right time! (I've been learning a lot about that lately!) So... this morning at church the same lady asked me "Can I put you on the spot?" . . .I knew what was coming! :)

Yes! I finally sang it! Haha! And what a blessing it turned out to be! That morning in class we discussed Hebrews 12:12-13 in great depth, which says, "Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed." We spent a lot of time discussing the fact that we are called, as children of God, to fix our gaze straight ahead and walk on the narrow path, not turning to the right or to the left. In many ways, this song applies! I was also astonished at how well the sermon fit with the song as well. I don't know why. God ALWAYS works things out that way, to where you know at the end that He had it all perfectly planned! Yet, I continue to stand amazed!

Another thing Dad mentioned in class was Job 4:1-4 which quotes, "Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied: 'If someone ventures a word with you, will you be impatient? But who can keep from speaking? Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.'" It is obvious that Job's friends recognized that in him. They realized that God used him to encourage and uplift many others during their times of distress and trouble. The question that arises for myself from that is "Can people say the same thing of me? Do I do that for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as well?" I pray with all my heart it's true!

Therefore, I just want to encourage you today to trust completely in God's promises. He does work all things toward the good of those who love Him and who have been called according to His purpose. And He is forever faithful. I praise the Lord that His faithfulness does not depend upon my own! (Then we'd all be in trouble... LOL!)

And now, after having mentioned ALL of that, I will post these meaninful lyrics:

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart

Naught be all else to me save that Thou art

Thou my best thought by day or by night

Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light

Be Thou my wisdom and Thou my true word

I ever with Thee and Thou with me Lord

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son

Thou in me dwelling and I with Thee one

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise

Thou mine inheritance--now and always

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart

High King of heaven, my Treasure, Thou art

High King of heaven, my victory won

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heaven's Son!

Heart of my own heart whatever befall

Still be my vision, O Ruler of all

Unfortunately, Satan tries so hard to distract us from keeping our eyes fixed straight ahead. He is very crafty and tries to replace our true Vision with other temporal and fleshly things of this world. We must be careful NOT to let him deceive us! Sometimes, he may have us feeling so downhearted and unhappy through the trials we may be facing, that we lose sight of our one true Vision, Jesus Christ our Lord. We may begin to seek out other material things and forsake our desire to live each day for God. I pray we never allow the evil one to prevail and triumph over Christ as number one in our lives. Christ is first! May God pour out his blessings upon us, and give us peace in the midst of such a chaotic world. Each day may we wake up with a hearfelt submission to our Lord, to make a concious note that we are alive to serve and glorify Him. May we be a pleasing aroma to God our Savior!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all!