Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

This hymn was sung today at a memorial service that I attended.

It was very appropriate and moving, as the deceased was a man who loved and worked upon the sea.

Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me

Lyrics by Edward Hopper; Music by John Edgar Gould

Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treach’rous shoal;
Chart and compass came from Thee:
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boist’rous waves obey Thy will
When Thou say’st to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sov’reign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.

When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

WHAT IF I DIDN’T BELIEVE?

When I was walking around the neighborhood early Saturday morning, I heard two men arguing loudly in one of the houses.  They were both clearly angry, and both were using a lot of foul language.  The gist of what they were saying, was “I care about you….I am trying to help you…if I didn’t bring this food you wouldn’t have anything to eat this weekend…” and “I didn’t ask for your help…stop trying to run my life…it is none of your business…”

As I continued to walk, I said a prayer, asking for God to help these two men. Asking for him to guide them and calm them.  Asking for him to do for them whatever it is that they needed from him, as I can’t possibly know or understand their situation and how to help.  It felt good to ask God to intervene in their lives. And then the thought occurred to me.  If I did not believe in God and the power of prayer, how would I be feeling? Saddened by their obvious problems?  Helpless? Hopeless? In despair over such conflict? Thankfully I do believe, and as a result I can experience joy where there would be sorrow.