A Journey of Faith – Preparing Your Shoes – Journey Deeper

This past weekend I met with a group of men in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, to “prepare our shoes” for a journey of faith. Just like Joshua called the people to “consecrate” themselves before taking the step into the Jordan River and into the miraculous promises of God, we took some time to take a time out, and make our hearts ready for what God has next for us.

During this incredible weekend, we took some time to be still and wait upon the Lord. Right before I went to search out a quiet place to listen I was given an encouraging letter from my niece Danielle. At the end of her letter she wrote this: “P.S. Grandma said one of your favorite hymns is “Be Thou My Vision… that’s my favorite too.” I spent the next 45 minutes meditating on these words:

“Be Thou My Vision”

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;

Thou my best thought by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping Thy presence my light.

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.

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 are.

High King of heaven my victory won,

May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Sun!

Heart of my own heart whatever befall,

Still be my vision O Ruler of all.

How this beautiful Hymn captured my heart again and brought me to tears as I heard the gentle whisper of the Father say “make this your constant prayer as you embark in this new journey I have for you.”

At the heart of Joshua’s command for the people to “consecrate” (3:5) was the goal that God would be their Vision. He was calling them to prepare their hearts in such a way that they would keep their eyes fully on the Father. When that happens a life of the miraculous will follow.

Spend sometime today refocusing your eyes on your Heavenly Father. Confess any thing that keeps your vision distorted or distracted from seeing His glorious face. Mediate on the words of this great hymn and make it your prayer.

Dear Father in Heaven,
As you are calling me to walk forward in faith I confess my vision has often been taken from you and placed on images in this world that rob me of your peace and plan for my life. Through your Son Jesus please forgive me and once again “Be Thou My Vision.” In your Son’s name, Amen!