Jesus, Lover Of My Soul
by Amy Carden
The other day, a friend said to me, “Hey, Amy! I ran into your
twin last night when I was hanging out downtown.”
That wouldn’t be so odd, except that I don’t have a twin. But apparently, there is someone in Madison, Wisconsin, who looks just like me.
Afterwards, I began to wonder about this “clone” of mine. Was she nice, funny, or interesting to talk to? When someone tells me I resemble someone, I always hope it’s a positive thing. Unfortunately, the images of ourselves that we see reflected in others are not always positive.
Studying the book of Hosea recently, I saw a frustrating resemblance between myself and the Israelites. Even after being delivered from slavery in Egypt, they embraced idols and other gods to try and find satisfaction. As I reflected on their behavior, I saw myself in their actions. Over and over, God has shown me His love, protection and mercy.
Does that mean that my life has been the picture of utter faithfulness? Unfortunately not. Instead, I often find myself saying along with the Israelites, “Come, let us return to the Lord.”
Thankfully, the God who welcomed the Israelites back, who said of them, “I will heal their waywardness and love them freely” (Hosea 14:4), is the same “yesterday, today and forever.” He continues to love his wayward children, of which I am one.
The hymn “Jesus, Lover of my Soul” by Charles Wesley (1707-1788) expresses this love incomparably well. Take some time to meditate and reflect upon the immense love that God has for you, wayward child though you may be.
Jesus, Lover of my Soul
Jesus, Lover of my soul, let me to Thy bosom
fly.
While the nearer waters roll, while the tempest still is high!
Hide me,
O my Savior hide—til the storm of life is past;
Safe into the haven guide, O
receive my soul at last!
Other refuge have I none—hangs my helpless soul
on Thee.
Leave, ah, leave me not alone; still support and comfort me!
All my
trust on Thee is stayed—All my help from Thee I bring.
Cover my defenseless
head with the shadow of Thy wing.
Thou, O Christ, art all I want, more than all
in Thee I find.
Raise the fallen, cheer the faint, heal the sick and lead the
blind.
Just and holy is Thy name—I am all unrighteousness;
False and full of
sin I am; Thou art full of truth and grace.
Plenteous grace with Thee is found, grace to
cover all my sin;
Let the healing streams abound; make and keep me pure within.
Thou of life the fountain art—Freely let me take of thee;
Spring Thou up within
my heart; rise to all eternity.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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