I recently had two cataract surgeries. The surgeries went well and were rather easy. I was warned that I might have trouble seeing afterwards for about a month until new refractions could be done. But I did not anticipate how much trouble I would actually have during that time since I couldn't read and write and work on my computer as I do so regularly. And while I wasn't blind by any means, the experience made me appreciate so much more what blind folks deal with daily. And at times I just wanted to cry out, "Lord open my eyes so that I could see". But as difficult as physical blindness may be, spiritual blindness is words. And while we might not be spiritually blind, at times our vision can become dim and lose it sharpness. A more serious prayer is to ask the Lord daily to open our eyes so that we may see the Truth that He has for us. Clara H. Scott (1841-1897) provided us with a hymn of consecration that shares this need and prayer. Over the years she wrote many hymns and in 1882 she published the Royal Anthem Book, the first volume of choir anthems ever published by a woman. Three collections were issued before her untimely death, when a runaway horse caused a buggy accident in Dubuque, Iowa. The text of "Open My Eyes" was written in 1895 shortly before Scott's death. Each stanza reveals an increasing receptiveness to the "Spirit divine." Open eyes lead to "glimpses of truth." Open ears lead to "voices of truth." An open mouth leads to sharing the "warm truth everywhere." An open heart leads to sharing "love to Thy children." Scott has given us not only a list of organs through which we may receive and project truth and love, but also provides the method in her refrain. Maybe in these days of busy schedules and noise and distractions all around us, we need to make this our daily prayer ... open our eyes, open our ears and then open our mouths. Maybe we need to take time to silently wait for Him to do this. The hymn might be old, but the need has never been greater. Why not make this your prayer this week and find some time just to be silent before the Lord and listen to what He has to share with you. May that be your goal and challenge in the days ahead.
(1) 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.
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
(2) Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
(3) Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.
Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!
Listen to it being sung here. LISTEN
1 comment:
Thanks for making your resource available regarding these precious hymns. I appreciate your hard work.
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