Be Thou My Vision

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 battle-shield, sword for my fight, Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my souls 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 only, first in my heart, High King of heaven, my Treasure thou art.

Ancient Irish Hymn

Oh how true these words ring. I am fortunate enough to get away for a few days of reflection this weekend...a much needed respite from my cares. I am already missing my family, but thankful for a few moments of uninterrupted thoughts thus far. This morning, as I was sitting, with no distraction, basking in silence...I started mulling over the words of this song. Oh that Jesus would be my vision...my dignity, my delight, my souls shelter, my inheritance, my best thought...if I really lived that way...what a difference that would make in my daily rituals. I know these things in my mind...I have been taught from childhood of the greatness of God, but what would it look like if I were really living as if I knew that these things were true? If Christ was really my vision, how would I respond to people, and situations? If God himself were my dignity, not what I look like or what I possess, my heart would be content. My satisfaction would be in Him. The Irish had it right when these words were penned. Oh that you, my Jesus, would be my vision today, my best thought, my shield. Oh that I would seek you and not the empty praise of men. Be first in my heart, my treasure.