Hymns

“Finding Your Humble”

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There might be times in our lives when God places people or things in our path to help us in “finding our humble”.  For me, today it happened when I sat down to start working on the next blog I wanted to write today.

To start my work I normally turn to my Bible for some inspiration that connects to my day.  Today I picked up a hymnal first and opened the book near the middle and it opened to a hymn numbered #496 and named “I Asked…God Answered”.  It was written by an Unknown Confederate Soldier.

“I asked God for strength, that I might achieve; I was made weak, that I might learn humbly to obey.

I asked for health, that I might do greater things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy; I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life; I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing that I asked for – but everything I had hoped for.

Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers were answered.

I am, among all men, most richly blessed” (Schrader,2003. p.496).

After the day I had on Monday and Tuesday I thought I needed to be uplifted rather than being reminded of being humble.  After reading the above hymn I am convinced that it is being humble that makes me the most happy.  I will admit that there are times when I am in a low place when it happens, but in this case I was actually quite the opposite.

I find it very motivating that I found this hymn just by opening the book.  Not a single page was turned to search for anything else. The message was clear and understood.  I am thankful for what it contains for me, but I am also grateful that I am able to share with someone else who might also need it help them on their walk with God.

So if you didn’t find it here; get out there and go “find your humble!”

 

 

Reference

Schrader, Jack. (2003). “Sing Joyfully”. Tabernacle Publishing Company. Carol Stream, Illinois, 60188.

“Said the Grape to the Raisin”

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The soul can be that very thing in each of us that has the ability to guide us, warn us and teach us.  When the soul begins to work in each of us it knows our heart, just as God does.  The only thing that the soul has to contend with is our “free will”.

In the spirit of not pointing fingers I will begin with saying that I too have felt that my soul felt like a raisin rather than a grape.  With that being said we know that the best wine comes from the best grapes and we also know that a lot of work goes into ensuring that the yield is only of the highest quality.

Some days I will admit that if my soul were used to make wine, I might actually end up with a glass of vinegar.  Now I know there are some out there who will say that wine can be made from raisins, but I have had it and it is just not the same.  Either way looking into my own soul is not an easy task; especially when it is asking me to.

How we choose to seek out our soul is up to the individual and I am not here to tell you how, but rather to go ahead and do it.  God is seeking a relationship with you here on earth long before your days are done here. Find a way to search it and realize what God has waiting for you.  If you are a Christian you know that it as simple as asking Jesus Christ to help you find what you need or to take away a burden that is keeping you from finding truth.  If you are not a Christian, then it is as simple as asking Jesus Christ into your heart, ask Him to take your sins and claim Him as your Lord and Saviour.

To help understand how the soul can be filled, turn to the music that God has inspired through the ages.  The hymns we sing in church are designed by God to awaken our souls and turn them from a raisin to a grape, filled with the rich essence of the fruit that pleases and nourishes.  Together we become the wine or simple grape juice that fulfills the thirst our soul has when it seeks that relationship with God.

One hymn that I like among so many is “Where the Spirit of the Lord Is”.  It is very short, but gets right to the point of having a spiritual relationship with Jesus.

So, will you be a raisin or a grape?