Lead, Kindly Light

I've loved the hymn "Lead, Kindly Light" for years.  I see it as a song of hope, but when I chose it for congregational singing, I would get negative comments and questions about why I chose such a depressing, downer song. Basically, a lot of people think this should only be sung at funerals. Too bad for them.  They also won't be happy to know that I just wrote another tune.  It's in a minor key, so it will be even more dark for them.  But guess what, life is often dark.  And we need that light leading us on. Sometimes it's the lantern we carry. Sometimes it's the ray of sunshine in the distance.  Sometimes it's a single candle flame shining through the window.

For many, this is a song about putting trust in God, and that was certainly the case for the man that wrote the words.  It's becoming more than that for me.

Lead, Kindly Light, amidst th'encircling gloom,
Lead Thou me on!

No matter how heavy and dark life becomes, there is always light available for me to follow.  

The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead Thou me on!

That light can lead me to discover who I really am and where I belong.  

Keep Thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene; one step enough for me.

I'm learning to live in the now and not stress over the past, or worry excessively about the future.  

I was not ever thus, nor prayed that Thou
Shouldst lead me on;

This is certainly not the way I used to live.

I loved to choose and see my path; but now
Lead Thou me on!

I used to plan out every detail.  I had to know where I was heading.  I'm learning to trust the journey.

I loved the garish day, and, spite of fears,
Pride ruled my will. Remember not past years!

I was determined to be the absolute best.  Anything less than the best was a failure.  I'm getting over that.  

So long Thy power hath blest me, sure it still
Will lead me on.

I've now had enough experience just trusting the process to know that I just need to find and feel the light and let go of all the other stuff.

O'er moor and fen, o'er crag and torrent, till
The night is gone,
And with the morn those angel faces smile,
Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile!

But I'm not over the rough stuff yet.  But I know that morning will come.