Scripture Reading: Psalm 119:105-112, 1 Corinthians 1:18-31, Philippians 3:7-11
“God doesn’t give guidance, he does guidance, and you’re in the middle of it.”
Pastor and writer Tim Keller’s words shocked me. I rewound the sermon podcast and listened again. I was in a job I hated—smack dab in the middle of a two-year commitment that felt like it would never end. The world told me that since I was unhappy, I should walk away. And I liked the sound of that. Daily, I pulled into the parking lot and cried, staring at the red-brick building. Inside, 200 seventh graders and several fellow teachers were ready to wear me down, yet again. I wanted to quit. In fact, I was seeking out biblical support to walk away. Instead, Keller’s words cut through the noise.
I had been praying for God to give me guidance—I wanted Him to show me the way out of my work situation. But Keller’s words reminded me that God had already done the guiding, and unfortunately, He’d led me to this red-brick building. I wanted to leave, but I knew He was calling me to stay. It took every ounce of faith and courage I could muster to step out of my car each day, and into the job He’d called me to. The world tells me to follow my heart, but God tells me to follow Him. It matters greatly which path I choose.
The words of the hymn “Be Thou My Vision” encourage me in my endeavor to live above the common level of life. Because believe me, when I’ve chosen to follow God instead of myself, He has led me on very uncommon paths. He has led me into places of resistance and uncertainty and darkness. But if I truly want to bring light to the world, I can’t be afraid of the dark. Left to my own direction, my heart is a compass that guides me toward passions and pleasures. But God is the true compass, guiding me along His ultimate path for me, changing my heart and renewing my mind in the process.
As it says in 1 Corinthians, following God must look like complete foolishness to people who do not know Him (v.18). But my heart is a broken instrument, so how can I possibly trust its direction? Only God is trustworthy to lead me.
Consider the stanzas from “Be Thou My Vision.” See how each word is antithetical to the world’s call to seek our own way—fame and fortune, pleasure and comfort. The lyrics of this hymn are a reminder of who our God is and what He provides. He is with me. He protects me. He provides power. He brings wisdom. He endows me with treasure in heaven. He is my destination, both now and for eternity. And He is my greatest hope. Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, [Lord] still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Be Thou My Vision
Text: Irish hymn, sixth century
Prose Translation: Mary Byrne, 1905
Verse Form: Eleanor H. Hull, 1912
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.
Be Thou my battle shield, sword for the fight;
be Thou my dignity, Though my delight;
Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower,
raise Thou me heav’nward, O Power of my pow’r.
Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou, and Thou only, first in my heart,
great God of heaven, my treasure Thou art.
High King of heaven, my victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.
Claire Gibson is a writer whose work has been featured in publications including The Washington Post and Entrepreneur Magazine among many others. An Army kid who grew up at West Point, New York, Claire is currently growing roots in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband, Patrick, their son, Sam, and their dog, Winnie. Her debut novel, Beyond the Point, will be published next year.
This hymns brings such joy & peace to my heart! What a beautiful hymn, and prayer!
This is so rich. This study of hymns is helping reignite a pull toward the Word and cultivating joy in my time with God. For the first time in a long time (maybe ever) I’m seeing a change in my heart to anticipate time alone with God and not dread what I saw as an obligation. Creativity is overflowing out of these times in a season when I was in danger of drying up.
I have had the situations like Claire, the author, has described multiple times in my 39 years of nursing. After trying travel nursing, I found was not for me, I came back home and found a job taking for of young child with special needs. I originally had planned on doing this until I could get some online courses take to manage a medical office. Now God has changed my mind I am going to continue to work with her as long as I can. I only work part time but it is enough to get me by and pay my bills with a little extra. I have found my happiness and God led me right where I needed to go for it. This song diffidently spoke to this point.
I do ask my sisters in Christ that you keep my future daughter-in-law’s father and her and her family in prayer. Her father is on life support. He went into the hospital yesterday. I don’t know all the details. She and my son are trying to have a baby through in-vitro.
Philippians 3:10-11. SRT version. My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death, assuming that I will somehow reach the resurrection from among the dead.
Why would he have to work towards achieving the resurrection from the dead? Should be part of (vs 9) having “the righteousness from God based on faith “.
Hi SRT fam. I ask for your continued prayers as I heal from my concussion which happened 5 weeks ago. I had a week where I was feeling normal, pain free, and energized! I was able to get back on my bike, go back to work, and enjoy time with friends. I felt so much hope and joy in this time. But a few days ago, the pain hit again and I’ve been back in bed feeling discouraged and worn down. I know God is working through me in this time, teaching me and growing me, but it is so difficult when so much feels uncertain. It’s so easy for me to neglect God in this time because I feel frustrated and angry with Him. I ask for prayers that I would continue seeking him out, crying out to Him for restoration of my soul and head. Thank you!
Hi Annie, thank you for sharing. We’re praying for continued healing and encouragement for you during this time. We’re grateful that you’re here! -Margot, The SRT Team
Praying for you Annie
Thou are my vision a lamp to my eyes so that I may see the path you have layed before me. Keep me forever on the right path, lead me to keep my eyes on Jesus and seek His guidance and remember Greater is He that is in me than He that is in the world.
Amen
I sing this song to my son every night however I missed the third verse. “Be thou my dignity”??! How powerful. As today’s verses say – God uses the low and despised to bring down the worldly “wise.” Its a good reminder when I feel troubled, sad, and outcast. My dignity is in Him!
Kara thank you for pointing that out I needed to hear that right now I’m going through an emotional roller coaster and I am finally getting back on the “God end of it”. For about four weeks straight all I had wanted to do is go to work — I work 5 pm to 10 pm (at times a little later) come home and watch TV until all hours of the night/early morning sleep and start the same thing again. Your post and doing this devotional and reading what my sisters have to say has helping me greatly.
Amen! ❤️