Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life (Evangelical Lutheran Worship 816)
1 Come, my way, my truth, my life:
such a way as gives us breath;
such a truth as ends all strife;
such a life as killeth death.
2 Come, my light, my feast, my strength:
such a light as shows a feast;
such a feast as mends in length;
such a strength as makes his guest.
3 Come, my joy, my love, my heart:
such a joy as none can move;
such a love as none can part;
such a heart as joys in love.
Text: George Herbert (1593-1632); Music: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Devotion
George Herbert (1593–1633), on whose poem, “The Call,” these hymn lyrics are based, was from a wealthy family, well-educated, and a member of the English parliament through family connections. He left politics for the church, was ordained, and became a priest in a rural parish. Herbert cared deeply for his parishioners, most of whom were farmers. He wrote poetry and prose and published The Country Parson, a book on rural ministry.
In the first verse, Herbert borrows a set of metaphors for following Jesus—way, truth, and life—that are drawn from John’s Gospel. What he does with these metaphors surprises the reader in its surety and imagination. Way gives breath. Truth concludes strife. Life kills death. Herbert’s poetic touch, light as it is deep, allows the reader to breathe, to let go, to live in the assurance that life is stronger than death. As we sing this hymn, we answer Jesus’ call to live more fully and more deeply.
Prayer
Come, Jesus. Show us your way. Open us to your truth. Draw us more fully and deeply into your life. Come, on this day, in this place, in our lives. Amen.