Be Thou My Vision

Yesterday was the official first Sunday of 2010, so I found myself worshipping in church with many like minded believers. One of the songs used as a vehicle to sing to God was the hymn prayer of "Be Thou My Vision." The words had such an impact on me...it was if my heart's desires were expressed in a lyrical prayer of devotion and personal commitment.

As we sang, the verses offered me a singular voice of fierce devotion (though rooted in 8th century medieval Celtic Christianity) that is still relevant today. These were words chanted by monks, versed by Eleanor Hull and put to an Irish lyrical tune over 100 years ago...yet they connected with me in 2010!

The song created a clear focus for me as I began a new year - Be Thou My Vision. My desire is to God-see...to see my life and other lives, my challenges and my victories, my disappointments and my sorrows, through His eyes. In 2010, I want to learn to keep company with God and learn how to live a life of love. The focus is clear - see all of life with God-glasses. Seeing with His vision requires practicing being with Him daily, recognizing His presence, and being willing to join in on what He is doing. This life of "vision" clears away the clouds of fear and insecurity for a God-reality full of bright freedom and love.

This hymn is my prayer for 2010.

Meditate on these words and read them slowly...they could be your prayer as well:

Be thou my vision, O lord of my heart,
be all else but naught to me, save that thou art;
be thou my best thought in the day and the night,
both waking and sleeping, thy presence my light.

By thou my wisdom, be thou my true word,
be thou ever with me and I with thee Lord;
be thou my great Father, and I thy true son;
be thou in me dwelling, and I with thee one.

Be thou my breastplate, my sword for the fight;
be thou my whole armor, be thou my true might;
be thou my soul's shelter, be thou my strong tower;
O raise thou me heavenward, great Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise;
be thou mine inheritance now and always;
be thou and thou only the first in my heart;
O Sovereign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

High King of heaven, thou heaven's bright sun,
O grant me its joys after victory is won;
great Heart of my own heart, whatever befall;
still be thou my vision, O Ruler of all.