Be Thou My Vision.

With a somewhat heavy heart today I sat alone, and played and sang the old hymn, 'Be Thou My Vision'. While the version I played is a modern arrangement I have written myself, the main lyrics remained unchanged.

I played and sang unto my Lord, as a release from the heartache I felt and feel from hearing of mass massacres not only upon my own doorstep of Melbourne, but also in America, and of the tens of thousands of women marching in support of killing their own children within their wombs.

I took time and silently mourned our Western world's loss, of true sacrificial love and commitment. I took time to feel my heart break. Not only for the innocent children lost before they have a chance to make their own choices, but also for the ones born into families who are so self-focused and entitled they will grow without the skills to function as mentally-healthy adults.

Yes, I took time and allowed myself to feel the hurt, loss, and rejection our blessed creator must feel, but I also gave my heart to Him for healing as I sang.

I knew once again, as other times before that I had a choice. I needed to choose again what my focus would be, so that once again I could arise strengthened for the year of work approaching, as school returns here in Australia very shortly after our summer break.

Sometimes in difficult times we choose to focus on the life that is to come when Jesus returns, or upon the promises and riches we may inherit. And while this is not negative, I find this is not grounded enough upon the life and commission we are to fulfill here and now...

As I meditated upon the lyrics, 'Be Thou My Vision', my thoughts again turned to Jesus being my vision and focus for my work, here and now!

I found myself thinking about how Jesus would respond and the answer was overwhelmingly simple, with love and grace to all who may offend and hurt me.

Jesus said others will know we are His disciples from our LOVE!

It is His LOVE that brings breakthrough.

It is His LOVE conquers all.

It is His LOVE that forgives, heals, and transforms.

The truth is I can do nothing without Him. There is no real, permanent change in anyone's life and therefore our world without Him. I need to let Him and His LOVE work through me, and keep dying to myself and offenses, or else they will consume me.

So what does His LOVE look like shining out through me?

Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 
1 Corinthians 13:4-7.

Am I patient? Am I kind and not rude, irrespective of whether I'm behind a computer screen or not? Do I rejoice with others and the truth? Am I committed to my relationships and hope in God, standing upon His Word? Will I endure all heartache as a victor in Christ, and therefore forgive and pray for others?

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, Thou my Delight;
Thou my soul’s Shelter, Thou my high Tower:
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.
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 Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

I have often turned to the Psalms in times of need for encouragement, but I also love the truth and theology of old hymns. I find they speak so honesty of our Lord's greatness, and our constant need for Him. They take the singer's focus off of themselves, and proclaim the unchanging truth of our sovereign Lord, making them appropriate to sing in both times of joy and struggle.

I have chosen to again let Jesus be my vision, when so many dark things are vying to cloud my sight. I am choosing to pray rather than rant. To proclaim, even if others do not want to listen. And to faithfully love the ones He has placed in my life. Be thou my vision, oh Lord of my heart...

Love Melanie.