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
A favorite seminary class of mine, taught by Dr. Jim Burtness, included the assignment to write a personal statement of faith. It took two weeks to create a foundational sentence, another two weeks to write a paragraph. By the end of the term a single page statement of faith was complete. Marketers talk about having an “elevator speech.” It is important to articulate the value of your product in the time one travels from one floor to another.
Peter had an elevator speech: Jesus is Messiah (although sketchy on the details). How do you articulate who Jesus is for you? Healer of ills, forgiver of sins, victor over death, lord of your actions, comforter of fears, righter of social wrongs, servant to your wants, mentor of righteous living? The options are plentiful. The specifics are important. Perhaps nothing is said better than Jesus is my joy, my love, and my heart.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, amid the many ways you are experienced through the centuries, come also to me and reveal your glory. Amen.