Lead me

I've been working on memorizing hymns the past few weeks and it's been really hard--I always tend to make things harder than they need to be.  I picked 2 hymns that I wasn't super familiar with (would it be a challenge if I already knew all the words?) but that had words that really meant something to me.  The first one was "Go Forth with Faith" and the second, which I 'm going to write about is "Lead Kindly Light."

Here are the lyrics.  I adjusted some of the meter for my own better understanding.  I also added  my commentary in red. Some words I  had to look up to get the full affect.

Lead, kindly Light, amid th'encircling gloom; The Light is the Savior; gloom is all the bad things in the world. 
Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; This isn't really our home,
Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet;
I do not ask to see the distant scene--
one step enough for me. I need to trust that it's okay for me to not be in charge; Somebody else has a better grasp on my own 'big picture' and I need to accept that. In other words: have faith and be meek and submissive

I was not ever thus,
nor pray'd that thou shouldst lead me on.
I loved to choose and see my path;
but now, lead thou me on! Again, I'm stubborn and like to make my own decisions--not always consulting with my Heavenly Father or considering consequences.

I loved the garish day, Garish means showy
And, spite of fears, pride ruled my will. Wanting to be seen by men as intelligent, important or someone to be admired--putting worldly accolades before spiritual things.
remember not past years. Please forgive me and help me. 

So long thy pow'r hath blest me,
sure it still will lead me on  You haven't let me down thus far and I know you never will 
O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, Through the swamp and bog and cliff and rushing water
till the night is gone. 'til I'm finished with all the tests and trials of life
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile! When I'm done and with all those I love-- even the ones I haven't seen for a long time,  we'll be happy.



It's a beautiful hymn and it means so much to me. I'm really glad I chose it, even if it was hard to memorize. One of the scriptures that goes with it is Psalms 119:133-135.

133 Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Deliver me from the oppression of man: so will I keep thy precepts.
135 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant; and teach me thy statutes.

Good Scripture too.

I decided to write my own version of the hymn.  It's not as poetic, but it's mine.

Savior, please take my hand,
Show me the way.
I'm weak and scared and sometimes stubborn,
Show me the way
I know that I'm just one grain of sand to Him--
And yet, I am His child.
My neck is stiff, my heart is stony
Could you show me the way?

Lord, please teach me how to feel
Show me the way
I'm small and simple but I like to be in control
Show me the way.
I try to lean on my own understanding--
Be in charge of my own destiny or fate
I'm wrong.
Forgive me, and light the way.

Master, please open my eyes
Show me the way
It's hard to bow my will to thine
Yet please show me the way
I'm not always inclined, sometimes compelled
I need to be still and let you be my God
and trust that my soul is of great worth
I beg, please mark the way.

Brother, help me endure it well
Show me the way
I know it's but a moment.  Still-
Show me the way
I want to recognize Your voice and follow
I'll try not to tell You what to say--what I want to hear;
Just listen to my shepherd
I know You are the Way.