Dreams Must Die

I know what I want, O Lord, my God,
And it is right, and pure, and good;
And yet, I feel a tug within
To give it up; obey I would.

The struggle is, thus far, intense—
Why must I give up my dreams?
I want Your will, Your way, Your time;
This is Your way? So strange, it seems!

Why must that I treasure most
Thus be given, dreams must die?
Why must cherished hopes be broken,
Dashed, and crushed; why, Lord, why?

Dreams must die; like grains of corn
Must be buried, fruit to bear,
Even so, my will must die;
My life I give—I'm in Your care.

When Your plan at last is shown
More beautiful, I know, 'twill be
Than all the castles, bright and fair,
I build upon this sand I see.

And so, 'til then, I walk by faith,
Trusting wholly in Your way,
Leaning ever on Your arm,
Finding strength for each new day.

Disappointment - His Appointment

Disappointment—His appointment;
Change one letter, then I see
That the thwarting of my purpose
Is God's better choice for me.
His appointment must be blessing
Though it may come in disguise;
For the end, from the beginning,
Open to His vision lies.

Disappointment—His appointment.
Whose? The Lord who loves me best,
Understands and knows me fully,
Who my faith and love would test.
For like loving earthly parents
He rejoices when He knows
That His child accepts unquestioned
All that from His wisdom flows.

Disappointment—His appointment;
No good things will He withhold.
From denials oft we gather
Treasures of His love untold.
Well He knows each broken purpose
Leads to a fuller, deeper trust,
And the end of all His dealings
Proves our God is wise and just.

Disappointment—His appointment;
Lord, I take it then as such,
Like clay in the hands of the Potter
Yielding wholly to His touch.
My life's plan is all His moulding;
Not one single choice be mine.
Let me answer unrepining,
“Father, not my will, but Thine.”

—Author Unknown

I Will Tell My Griefs to Him

All my griefs by Him are ordered
Needful is each one for me,
Every tear by Him is counted,
One too much there cannot be;
And if when they fall so thickly
I can own His way is right,
Then each bitter tear of anguish
Precious is in Jesus' sight.

For too well my Saviour loved me
To allow my life to be
One long, calm, unbroken summer,
One unruffled, stormless sea;
He would have me fondly nestling
Closer to His loving breast,
He would have that world seem brighter
Where alone is perfect rest.

Though His wise and loving purpose,
I cannot yet clearly see,
I believe with faith unshaken,
All will work for good to me;
Therefore when my way is gloomy,
And my eyes with tears are dim,
I will go to God my Father,
I will tell my griefs to Him!

—Author Unknown

A Rose From Brier

Thou hast not that, My child, but thou hast Me;
And am not I alone enough for thee?
I know it all, know how thy heart was set
Upon this joy which is not given yet.

And well I know how though the wistful days
Thou walkest all the dear familiar ways
As unregarded as a breath of air;
But there in love and longing, always there.

I know it all; but from thy brier shall blow
A rose for others. If it were not so
I would have told thee. Come, then, say to Me:
"My Lord, my Love, I am content with Thee."

—Amy Carmichael

Thou Hast Made It , and Thou Dost Know

I'm not sure where this story originated, but the point is excellent.

"I need oil," said a man, so he planted an olive sapling. "Lord," he prayed, "it needs rain that its tender roots may drink and swell. Send gentle showers." And the Lord sent gentle showers. "Lord," prayed the man, "my tree needs sun. Send sun, I pray thee." And the sun shone, gilding the dripping clouds. "Now frost, my Lord, to brace its tissues," cried the man. And behold, the little tree stood sparkling with frost, but at evening it died.

Then the man sought the abode of a brother, and told his strange experience. "I, too, planted a little tree," the brother said, "and see! It thrives well. But I entrust my tree to its God. He who made it knows better what it needs than a man like me. I laid no condition. I fixed not way or means. 'Lord, send what it needs,' I prayed, 'storm or sunshine, wind, rain, or frost. Thou hast made it Thou dost know.'"

I Know Whom I Have Believed

Recently, we went on a short camping and canoe trip with some friends. Some were old friends, some more recent. I think familiar friendships were strengthened, newer friendships grew, and as far as I know, everyone loved it! It was a truly refreshing time of fun, enjoying nature, praising the Lord, and fellowshipping.

I got to thinking (of course): I don't think any of us are exactly alike in belief and practice, but the cord that draws us all together is each striving to live for the glory of God, and the desire to help one another along the way.

And I was challenged afresh to truly believe the Lord. In our church meeting there, it was pointed out that true belief is simply trust. Trusting even with what is very precious to me. Trusting the Lord to keep safe that which I have committed to Him.

If I see the path stretched out straight and clear in front of me, what is to stop me from skipping this time of following the Shepherd and instead run on ahead of Him? If I know everything that is going on or coming up, I have no need to trust. But when I trust absolutely, I do not need to know or see. I only need to follow in faith.

Lord, I believe. Help Thou mine unbelief.

"...I know whom I have believed [or, trusted], and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."
(II Timothy 1:12)