chart my course

by Elizabeth DeBarros

O LORD,

Length of days does not profit me except the days are passed
in thy presence
in thy service,
to thy glory.

♦

Give me a grace that precedes,
follows,
guides,
sustains,
sanctifies,
aids every hour,
that I may not be one moment apart from thee,
but may rely on thy Spirit to supply every thought,
speak in every word,
direct every step,
prosper every work,
build up every mote of faith,
and give me a desire to show forth thy praise;
testify thy love,
advance thy kingdom.

♦

I launch my bark on the unknown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.

♦

Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.

♦

Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabilize.

♦

May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.

—New Year, The Valley of Vision

_____________________♦______________________

As the calendar New Year 2012 offers fresh hope for yielding more fully unto Him and seeing from new angles and perspectives, I’m reminded how little I am in control of so many circumstances. As a Christian, living in a fallen world is hard enough, learning to navigate on the high seas; an act of faith. I can but hoist my sail heavenward and trust Him for momentum, that I might gain by seeing from an eternal vantage point.

And I rest in knowing that my Sovereign God, from before the foundations of the world, has ordained the waves, ordered the opening and closing of the locks, fixed the buoys, and set the boundaries. By His glorious and omniscient design, He alone knows the course I am to take. Yet, still I must pray:

May all my moorings be found in You.

Advertisement