Be Thou My Vision

On March 1st, 2010, I officially released my latest instrumental guitar project, Be Thou My Vision. It was such a treat to see the boxes arrive containing 1000 copies. I quickly opened the first box and looked over the finally finished product. Within 10 minutes, Kristin informs me that I have the word "skillful" in my thank yous mis-spelled. Come to think of it, to mis-spell a word that means full of skill is kind of ironic, isn't it? It's one of those things that can just toss a wet blanket on one's joy if permitted. I was tempted, but threw the wet blanket aside and just enjoyed the finished product.

I wanted to blog right away about the finished CD, but I wasn't really sure what to write about. I thought of recounting the joy of the process from picking out the songs to arranging and recording, but I couldn't really nail down a main point, so I waited. I'm glad I did. As an artist, a sub-creator of sorts, there is the natural tendency to question the impact of a work and maybe even harbor expectations. What will folks think of the work? Will people hear the imperfections I hear? I'm not above such thoughts, but I sort of knew they were coming, and I determined in advance that to dwell on such thoughts would undermine my heartfelt intention to glorify God alone. At first, it was a daily task to put aside those subtle little, self-centered thoughts... the nagging, persistent desire and almost need for the approval of others. As the first round of feedback returned, I fought the urge to be affected outside of due gratitude for words of encouragement. Some days I succeed better than others, but one thought has become a focal point...Be Thou My Vision. The title track, and the thought it expresses is proving a centering theme for me. If Jesus is to be my vision, then He must be my desire, my ambition, and my only hope for satisfaction. As the words of the hymn express, "naught be all else to me save that Thou art." In other words, nothing else can matter but Him. After all, it is He alone that can choose whether or not to bless and multiply.

I'm so thankful to have a product to share with folks. I'm so grateful to all the people who have encouraged me and worked with me to get something recorded, duplicated and shared. But mostly, I'm thankful that I have something akin to a few fish and a couple of loaves to give to Jesus. To be as that boy who offered his meager gift, seeing it blessed and multiplied to the glory of God, is what I desire most for this CD and for all the efforts of my life.

I'll end with the lyrics, because they say it far better than I could ever express:

Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;

Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.

Thou my best thought, by day or by night,

Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;

I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;

Thou my great Father, I thy true son;

Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,

Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.

Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.

Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,

Thou mine inheritance, now and always:

Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,

High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

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High King of heaven, my victory won,

May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!

Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,

Still be my vision, O ruler of all.