Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art

Where is the focus of your life?  Is it your education?  Is it your job?  Is it your family?  So many things to set our eyes on in this world.  Yet all of those things can disappear in an instant, leaving you disoriented and without direction.  Set your focus on Christ.  John 1:4 says “In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”  Take a moment to ask yourself what guides the direction of your life.  Then begin the process of making Christ the central focus of your life.

Thou my best Thought, by day or by night
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light

When your mind wanders, where does it go?  Or in stressful circumstances, where does your mind turn to for comfort?  Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”  Keep your thoughts steadfast on Jesus.  When life is filled with blessing, may his name be the first to praise.  When difficult circumstances come, may his name be the first you call out to for help.  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you keep Christ as your best thought.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord

Whose wisdom do you trust the most?  Proverbs 2:6-8 says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his saints.”  It is clear from this verse that God not only possesses wisdom, but He gives it freely to those who seek Him.  In what area of your life right now do you need wisdom?  Pause to ask Him for His wisdom to help guide you.

Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one

Do you sometimes feel alone in this life?  1 Corinthians 3:16 says, “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”  We are never alone, as God’s Spirit lives in us.  And Ephesians 1:5 calls us “sons through Jesus Christ.”  We are never without a family or without a home.  Thank Him for adopting you into His family and giving you a home in His Kingdom.

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

What do you treasure above anything else?  Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”  Whether that be money, the approval of others, personal freedom, or our very life itself, nothing in this life should take precedent in our hearts above Christ.  Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”  Trust that nothing this world has to offer can compare to the joy of experiencing the presence of God.  Pause to lay down any treasures that you’ve been holding above Christ at his feet, knowing that his presence will fully satisfy any longing.

High King of Heaven, my victory won
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun
Heart of my own heart, whate’er befall
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all

Where is your ultimate hope?  The hope that we have in Christ, both in this life and after is called a “steadfast anchor for the soul” (Hebrews 6:19).  No matter what happens in this life, our hope remains secure.  Trust Him this week.  See Him work in the little things of your life.  Make His vision your vision for your life.  

Jeremy