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Day By Day

Posted by Rick Bates on

If you were asked what is most important to you, to do day by day, what would come to mind?  Certainly in the midst of COVID-19, staying personally healthy would be on the list, as well as things like keeping financial viability, connecting with family, having job security.  If asked, what would be the top three things needed in your life every day,  could you state three clearly?

During the month of Easter every year, my wife and I watch various movies about the life of Jesus.  One of our favourites is the 1972 musical, Godspell, which is based on the Gospel of Matthew, and features a series of wonderful parables woven into beautiful songs, many of which are based on traditional hymns ... and all of which are done in 1970s free-spirited style, which we really enjoy!

I was reminded this year of a powerful insight found in the Godspell song, Day by Day, whose refrain follows a prayer by a 13th-century bishop.  The movie version follows a 1940 hymn:

Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray,
To see thee more clearly, 
Love thee more dearly, 
Follow thee more nearly


As I sang along, I found myself stopping to reflect on the simple yet profound wisdom found in this refrain.  I said them over slowly to myself to let each word penetrate.  To every day, day ... by ... day, ... see ... God ....more .... clearly, .... love ... God .... more ... dearly, ... follow ... God ... more ... nearly.  

I keep pondering how my life would change if the measure of my maturity was progress in these three things: (1) to see more clearly, more fully, the nature of God and the teachings of Jesus, (2) to love more dearly, more completely, by showing His love in ways that make other people's lives better, and (3) to more nearly, more closely, follow God’s ways and direction.

Day by day, we are living through one of the most demanding, tiring times in modern history.  Day by day, we struggle to make sense of a deadly viral attack on our world, our city, our family and friends.  Day by day, we all live our lives as best we possibly can.  I would encourage you to join me in pausing daily to refocus ...

Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray, to:
See thee more clearly, 
Love thee more dearly, 
Follow thee more nearly ... day by day!


[Watch Godspell’s Day by Day song ] 

 

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