“Be Thou My Vision”
Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart
……
Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one
The song was written by St. Patrick. The verse that inspired the song was from Jeremiah 9:23-24. “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight,’ declares the LORD.”
St. Patrick’s high regard for God is evident in the various titles ascribed to the Lord. He is our Vision, our Lord, our Best Thought, our Wisdom, our Word, our Great Father, our High King, our Inheritance, our Treasure, our Sun, our Ruler, our Heart.
So practically speaking how do I allow God to “be my Vision”? How do I turn my life and my will over to Him? The problem is when I take it back and try to do it my way. Every time I hear this song it reminds me to give my will and my life over to God.
Currently Mike and I have become caregivers. Thank heaven our children are independent and self-supporting for the most part. We are caregivers for my brother who had a stroke and a heart attack. Mike’s sister moved in with us, and needs help with her medication, her meals, and personal care. I had to place my Dad in a nursing home. The battle is with insurance companies and bills. We are financially drained. Spiritually and emotionally we work and we wonder at what point are we helping or are we enabling. We have to constantly remind ourselves this is only temporary. At times I wonder, “why me?” Then I realize to thank God for good jobs, that we are able to financially support my brother. Thank God that physically we are able to care for his sister. My dad is doing well in the nursing home.
Be Thou my vision, Lord, to do Your will, to seek Your word as guidance and to seek godly wisdom from other Christians. I am learning to pray and seek God first and to allow Him to be our Vision.
Jeannie Bey
Jeannie is a founding member of Servants of Christ and has always encouraged those considering attending A4D weekends and Alpha. She serves with her Community Group at Grace Marketplace and ushers on Sundays. She has been a valuable part of our children’s ministry, volunteering to teach and helping with events such as VBS.