trusting

Out of my bondage, sorrow, and night,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into Thy freedom, gladness, and light,

Jesus, I come to Thee;

Out of my sickness, into Thy health,

Out of my want and into Thy wealth,

Out of my sin and into Thyself,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of my shameful failure and loss,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into the glorious gain of Thy cross,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of earth’s sorrows into Thy balm,

Out of life’s storms and into Thy calm,

Out of distress to jubilant psalm,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of unrest and arrogant pride,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into Thy blessed will to abide,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of myself to dwell in Thy love,

Out of despair into raptures above,

Upward for aye on wings like a dove,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the fear and dread of the tomb,

Jesus, I come, Jesus, I come;

Into the joy and light of Thy throne,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

Out of the depths of ruin untold,

Into the peace of Thy sheltering fold,

Ever Thy glorious face to behold,

Jesus, I come to Thee.

-text by William T. Sleeper, 1887

I suppose anyone reading this can infer that I love to talk about hymn texts.

Anyway, having shed some of my old Baptist skin and having fully thrown myself into the discipline of Lent this year, there are a lot of these texts coming to mind.  Like this one.

It's not heard as much these days as it once was, probably because the tune is a bit outdated, but it's a great text for a repentant and devoted heart.

At first glance, it would appear that it is talking about a person at the moment of salvation, which we sometimes call "justification."  It's the moment when a person moves from sin's darkness into God's light.

But I find these words in my mind and on my lips often even now. 

That's because a relationship with Christ isn't only a one-time occurrence, but a process; a story to be played out for the rest eternity.  And while we're here on earth, that means learning to trust and rely on grace instead of our own strength.

So when I find myself in periods of darkness or doubt or anxiety or pain, I can pray words like this.  Even though I've been "saved" and have the promise of eternity with Christ, I'm still being saved through this life. 

For you, it could be, "out of depression" or "out of addiction" or "out of my apathy" or "out of my comfort" or "out of my idols," but the prayer is the same.

"God, help me rest on your gift of grace and follow your Spirit."