2016 was rough. It was manageable on a personal level (college grad, whadup!!), but absolutely agonizing as a friend, as I watched many people I deeply care for go through some pretty intense trials. And on a societal level, it was just bizarre. I have a hard time believing anything is impossible anymore. What a time to be alive.
There's a lot of uncertainty in the upcoming year, including several major life decisions I'll have to make. During my college years, which held their own kind of tests and trials, one of the hymns we sang in church took on a lot of meaning for me. It captures the sense of helplessness mixed with faith in the promises of God that seems to become more and more a part of the Christian life. It's become one of my favorites, and something I hope to keep close by as the year unfolds.
Guide me, O thou great Jehovah,
Pilgrim through this barren land;
I am weak, but thou art mighty;
Hold me with thy pow'rful hand;
Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
Whence the healing stream doth flow;
Let the fire and cloudy pillar
Lead me all my journey through;
Strong Deliverer, strong Deliverer,
Be thou still my Strength and Shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan,
Bid my anxious fears subside;
Death of death, and hell's Destruction,
Land me safe on Canaan's side;
Songs of praises, songs of praises
I will ever give to thee.
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