O Master, Let Me Walk with You, ELW 818
Devotion
O Master, let me walk with you
in lowly paths of service true;
tell me your secret; help me bear
the strain of toil, the fret of care.
Help me the slow of heart to move
by some clear, winning word of love;
teach me the wayward feet to stay,
and guide them in the homeward way.
Teach me your patience; share with me
a closer, dearer company,
in work that keeps faith sweet and strong,
in trust that triumphs over wrong,
In hope that sends a shining ray
far down the future's broad'ning way,
in peace that only you can give;
with you, O Master, let me live.
When it comes to hymns in general, I have often found the second and third verses to be especially meaningful, or even better than the first. In this familiar and beloved hymn that is certainly true for me.
The writer, H. Percy Smith, captures the sentiment that I often feel when I am lacking inspiration. When I have difficulty in the creative endeavor, when I am stymied by lack of creative energy, or I cannot glean anything of substance from a particular passage of scripture, I am "slow to heart."
As a self-described "type B" personality (Yes, I will own up to this!), I have often explained to my "type A" friends that I have to work twice as hard as they do to get anything done. First, I have to get inspired to do a task. Second, I do the task. Type As simply seem to get right at their work. Now, I hope you are taking my words with a grain of salt. Yet there is a kernel of truth to the statement that without inspiration, there isn't much that gets done.
But Love is the greatest motivator. Love inspires us when we perspire. This very simple verse gives me a sense of serenity and peace. It keeps me focused and, ultimately, it brings me home.
Prayer
Remind me of Love, when my creativity is stymied by other distractions. Keep me focused on the work of your kingdom lest I get distracted and forget the source of my inspiration. Amen.