THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK
November 1, 2004
I often wonder about the person behind the hymn and the inspiration for it. All I know about Clara H. Scott was that she was born in 1841 and died in 1897. But she penned a memorable song and music that is one of the hymns in our hymnal. Listen to the words
Open My Eyes, That I May See
Open my eyes, that I may see glimpses of truth Thou hast for me Place in my hands the wonderful key that shall unclasp and set me free. And then follows the chorus:
Silently now I wait for Thee, ready my God, Thy will to see;
Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit Divine
Notice the prayer is for glimpses of truth, probably all I can take at this time. It says you don't have to know it all, just the glimpses will set one free. If only we could acknowledge this about fellow believers. They probably have such glimpses and are looking for more as the chorus says, illumine me. Take me beyond the glimpse. This is the challenge to the mature in the faith.
Of course the hymn doesn't end there but asks for ears to be opened to hear and His truth will be made clear, mouth to be opened to bear the warm truth everywhere. It's what the disciples felt in the resurrection encounter on the road to Emmaus. "Were not our hearts burning within us?" (Luke 24:32)
And the hymn concludes "open my heart and let me prepare Love with Thy children thus to share." We are thus challenged to share everywhere all the truth that we have glimpsed. To me this is the love of God made known in Jesus and demonstrated in his life and actions. And remember it's for all his children, that is, for all persons everywhere.
What a tremendous prayer. It is often said that in times of crisis it's the words of the hymns that come to mind because of their familiarity and provide the hope and stability to our faith that we need. This hymn to me is a prayer before crisis. It tells us that the truth of Jesus is not a possession to be kept to ourselves but to give away and thus fully possess and thus be somewhat at least prepared for all that happens to us in life.
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