No Further Than a Lamp

I remember jotting down this short set of lyrics in college chapel years ago. The sentiment that was true then still is now. As much as we'd like to know the whole story about where our lives are going, God's loving wisdom only shows us that one little next step at a time.

I read His Word
For it has been my guide
In every thought,
Each turn that I decide;
But what He shows
Won't go as far as I would want to see,
I'll only know
One step ahead of me.

His Word is sure,
A light unto my path;
His love is pure,
And spares me from His wrath;
But I must trust
That though uncertain be my days,
He leads my way
No further than a lamp.

'Tis Good to Know

Life is never going to be perfect. But it's truly good to know whom we have holding our hand.

‘Tis good to know amidst all earthly woe

That God’s great wisdom hath ordained it so;

And with a father’s love He stays His hand

That all who live beneath His dear command

Shall not be overcome by what’s bestowed.

When hardships strike the heart and crush the soul,

‘Tis good to know our God is in control;

And if He did allow the tears to flow,

His love, in greater measure, shall we know,

For in His arms, all wounds shall be made whole.

When expectations loom unfairly high,

‘Tis good to know our God is ever nigh;

And even if by earthly rules we fail,

It is His will that shall at end prevail,

And to His will alone we need comply.

Unparalleled by anything we face

‘Tis the sweet comfort of His warm embrace;

And when the weary shadowlands we leave,

No more to cry, to toil, to weep, to grieve,
‘Tis good to know we’ll reach a better place.

Perfect Plan

Life isn't always what we expect it to be. No matter how much we try to map out our own lives, we can't control how things truly do turn out. At the end of the day, embracing God's timeline is always the way to His perfect plans.

Verse 1:

When what You give is not to give

When You withhold as You think best

And when the life I have to live

Appears inferior to the rest,

I turn my heart to who You are,

To every way that You’re enough

Because have I or have I not,

It’s still a way You show Your love

Chorus:

No good thing do You withhold

From the ones who follow You

Every sheep within Your fold

Knows the Shepherd’s ever true

And no matter what You grant

I’ll take gladly from Your hand

Knowing that I can or can’t

Is still Your perfect plan.

Verse 2:

When I would try and fail to do,

When I can’t be what’s asked of me

And when whatever I pursue

Is not what You deem meant to be,

I turn my eyes to You on high

And ponder on Your perfect will

Because however I may fall,
You stay our God, and I’ll be still.

A Teacher's Prayer

Oh Lord, may You help us to walk in a manner worthy of the calling...

Verse:

You called the little children, “Come to Me”

And taught us what Your kingdom ought to be

So help me, Lord, to follow faithfully

To bring to You the ones You bring to me

Chorus:

Help me be Your hands to give them sight

Help me be Your arms to lend them might

Help me be Your rod to teach them wrong from right

Help me be their guide towards Your light

Verse:

You called me long before I knew of You

And loved so much You paid all I had due

So when the children need such patience too

Please help me love them just the way You do

Chorus:

Help me be Your hands to wipe their tears

Help me be Your arms to calm their fears

Help me be Your voice so every child may hear

That through weary roads, You guide and cheer

Fly for Me

As I listened to the testimony of an alumna who has gone on into mission work in Nepal, I was overwhelmed by the privilege to be a teacher. May the young faces in the classroom reach more people and achieve more wonders for God's kingdom than I could ever do. She inspired this blank verse poem as well as a hope I carry with me as a new school year begins.

I have no wings to fly me lands away...

No wind to make me soar above the sea...

But I know those who will do so one day

And take off to the very ends of earth

I have one life to live and give and love...

That more may learn to do the same one day...

And people I may never meet and know

Would feel God's love through those I love today.

I can but plant a seed within each heart...

More years must pass till roots and boughs will grow

But trees that spread their branches out one day
Will lend their shade to generations more.

The Summit

Struggles abound in life no matter how ideal one's situation may seem to be. Trials serve a purpose, but as much as I would like to think that I would eventually know the "why" behind every difficulty, there's no promise of such understanding on this side of heaven. Nonetheless, I pray for the faith to finish this journey.

Verse:

I wanted, Lord, to stand atop the mountain,

But not to scale its treacherous ascent;

But though I knew that vict’ry was for certain,

I had to learn what faith and patience meant.

Chorus:

For if I were to stand upon the mountain,

I had to know how best to fare up there;

So while Your perfect blessing is for certain,

It comes to only those who learn to bear

With all the twists and turnings of the pathway

That lead towards the summit’s glorious day

Verse:

So help me, Lord, to never be disheartened

When days grow dark and narrow paths grow steep,

To not compare how others may have charted

But bear the yoke you’ve given me to keep.

Chorus:

And as I climb along this mighty mountain,

Please grant me the humility to bear

The thoughts and feelings that would be for certain

Awaiting those who finally get there.

And help me realize that on this pathway,
I gain what I would need that final day.

Morning Prayer

During holidays, 'tis quite too easy to spend days in useless musings. May the Lord still let my life shine like a candle for Him.

In the morning I arise,

Stretching arms and rubbing eyes,

Wondering what course should lie

On my way today.

In the morning, silently,

As the sunrise creeps on me,

I can’t help but question why

I need face the day.

Not for love and not for fame,

Not for praises to my name,

Not for mem’ries passing by

Must I live today.

Christ alone, my heart’s desire,

Sparked the flame and feeds the fire;

Lord, upon You I rely,

Use me, Lord, today.