If ignorant, make me wise
If hurried, give me pause
If blind, open my eyes
If selfish, state your cause
If the day calls for silence, mute me
If it is time for bold words, help me speak
If my heart trembles, bring stillness
If my faith weakens, lead me to belief
Faithful I will be
To follow where He leads
For I know his yoke is light
His provisions are my only need
When this life brings trouble
When the arrows fly
I will not cower in fear
For He remains by my side
A devoted soldier I’ll be
Whether I win or bleed
Surrendering to His battle plan
Guaranteeing His victory!
“The Lord your God is in your midst – a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over
you with singing.” Zephaniah 3:17
If You lead me to dark places
You’ll give me power to shine your light
If life gets difficult and the weight is heavy
You’ll carry it with me
Through every sorrow and plight
Your will on earth is not hindered
By the will of any man
You preordained, saw beyond time
And worked it into your plan
So I am not afraid
You go before me
You light my stepping stones
I am not afraid
You are my confidence
To do Your will
No matter where I go
No addiction, no flaw
No matter how far you fall
He will take your brokenness
And mend it all
Surrender today
your futile attempts
Ask Him to rescue
And come to your defense
His love is great
His Spirit breaks chains
His grace covers shame.
Surrender to faith
In His unending strength.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30
Breath, just breath
Surrender your burdens
Inhale my peace
Rest, rest in Me
Cease your toiling
All your worries, release
Live, live joyfully
Exchange your sorrows
For the new life I give abundantly
Although His timing may be different
He works everything into his picture
We are here to be moved at His will
We just need to keep trusting and be still
Let not my pride rob me
Nor my unforgiveness blind me
But my eyes of faith provide me
Vision to hope and believe
Let not my doubt corrupt me
Nor my selfishness drive me
But my call of grace guide me
To more than I can think or dream
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20
I envisioned the path I wanted, so I toiled day and night to prepare it. I cleared out the brush, smoothed the gravel and started to put on my shoes.
I knew exactly what this path would bring, or so I conceded: love, long life, happiness, everything a girl could dream.
So I began my petition “Please Lord, oh bless this road I built. Let me have it. You see how perfect it is to be used for your will.” But He just kept telling me “Be still”.
The brush kept growing over. Soon barriers started popping up. “Lord what are you doing? Are You saying no to my request?” So, I’d clear it again, pray harder this time, keep working, never to rest.
Until the brush grew so tall, there was no way around it. My way was blocked with no recourse. This wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. So, I sat and mourned, questioned and screamed.
Then one day the brush shriveled up, the weeds crumbled to dirt and the path was clear. But now it looked like a brand new road – a tree lined path with a refreshing breeze. And this is what the Lord said to me:
“While you were toiling and spinning your wheels, I saw just what was in need. I saw the undergrowth that would be popping up on your way. I saw hazards and choking weeds. I allowed the brush to stop you, so I could finish my work and make this path the best it could be. Now go on my dear, we’ll journey from here on this path you’ve entrusted to me.”
Maybe this part of the past
Won’t be reconciled
Looking back
there may still be gaping holes
But time to let go of the questions
And focus on the truths I know
Although many days
seemed meant for evil
He’ll use them to produce good
Though oft it appeared
the enemy was winning
I’ll see his purpose in the end withstood
I don’t need to make a plan or design my life
My best laid plans are mere rags in His sight
For if I know what He wills will surely come to be
I have nothing to worry as my Savior leads me
Human reasoning and effort do not
Bring about the changes
Only God’s Spirit can accomplish
So, instead of mustering up strength
Surrender to His work in and around you
With steady, hopeful and patient faith
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6
Not near the rose pedals
Or lavished with ease
But fighting with the devil
And down on your knees
Trust Him, Trust Him
In bitter tears and strife
His peace He’ll give
As you surrender your life
Fall into my arms
You’ll find a safe haven here
I’m a Father who sees and cares
I’ll wipe away every tear
You don’t need to scramble
To self resolve or heal
My tender arms will do it
Just trust me and be still
With a contrite heart, I come before You
Confessing all I’ve tried to control by my will.
With my troubled mind, I’ve justified
With my sinful flesh, I’ve refused to be still.
I’ve hoped beyond all human reason
That Your hand would still provide
A way out of this wilderness
Out of the mess we’ve contrived
Is it Your grace I have hoped for
Or my selfish desires to come true
Is it Your plan I envision
Or am I forcing my plan on You?
Roll in with a thunder
Strike with Your mighty hand
May Your will be done, not mine, I cry
But not let my tears thwart Your plan.
I look on journeys past
And see the change they bore in me
I never would’ve planned these paths
Or the struggles they would bring
The battles are beyond hard
And oft take forever to win
My mind and heart get scarred
Then Your Word carries me back in
I look at journeys past
And see the victories they led me to
I take a deep breath, step out in faith
And set out on my next journey with You
“So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. The Israelites went up out of Egypt ready for battle.” Exodus 13:18
“He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name.” Psalm 23:3
Disappointments and heartaches
We can give these to You
And attempt to align how we think
to Your Word and Your truths
So what do You say
About moments that don’t go our way
To remember You are Sovereign
And there are grander purposes at play
“Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.” Ephesians 1:11
Return our gaze to You
After whiplash has struck
And our mind’s all a muck
Focus our efforts on each step
You’ve shown is right
Work hard, love hard
Pray in faith day and night
Submit to Your plan
Trust You to see it through
Surrender answers we don’t have
Choose to trust in You
The current carried me away
Until I could no longer see the shore
Drifting about without enough strength
To fight the sea’s pull anymore
Broken and defeated
Crumbling to the ground
My hands reached out
And felt His feet
…….
My tears streamed down
Succumbing to pain’s sting
But anguish turned to praise
As I trusted this lowly King
“As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.” Luke 7:38
Lord, I don’t have much
but what I have is Yours
I’ll give You all I have
How could I give more?
43 Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. 44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:43-44
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:3
May Your will be done
Whether it leaves me
wanting or satisfied
May Your will be done
Whether it finds me alone
or with loved ones by my side
May Your will be done
Whether full of pain or jubilee
May Your will be done
As I draw near to Thee
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phillipians 4: 11-13)
My reservoir is empty
All I can do is pray
Coming to you humbled
Lord have your way
My shield is broken
My defenses fallen down
I’ve given up fighting
Its Yours to win or lose now
“The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14
Certain things I’ll never understand
And some of them cause me pain
But when I place them in Your hand
They never quite feel the same
The sting is dulled, hope gets brighter
Faith feels renewed and restored.
So I’ll keep placing life in Your hands
And keep my torn heart at Your door
Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Christian Poetry, Thoughts & Analogies 