I Will Be....

There was this day last week (I cannot remember which day) while I was in the shower I suddenly thought of the song. I've sung this song for like 10 years of my life but I have never fully understood the meaning of this song. And it was almost like a lightbulb that day in the shower. This is the song..

I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.

I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;

I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.
I would look up, and laugh, and love and lift.

I would be faithful through each passing moment;
I would be constantly in touch with God;
I would be strong to follow where He leads me;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod;
I would have faith to keep the path Christ trod.

Yes, for those of you from my secondary school, this IS the school creed. I can't believe this is something so beautiful and I sang it for forever not appreciating the lyrics. Every single line in this song is so beautifully written. Like yes, I WILL be strong, for there is much to suffer. I WILL be humble because I have weaknesses. And only when I was looking for the lyrcis, I only realized that this is actually a poem and it continues. (We don't sing this part in school)

Who is so low that I am not his brother?
Who is so high that I’ve no path to him?
Who is so poor, that I may not feel his hunger?
Who is so rich I may not pity him?
Who is so rich I may not pity him?

Who is so hurt I may not know his heartache?
Who sings for joy my heart may never share?
Who in God’s heaven has passed beyond my vision?
Who to Hell’s depths where I may never fare?
Who to Hell’s depths where I may never fare?

May none, then, call on me for understanding,
May none, then, turn to me for help in pain,
And drain alone his bitter cup of sorrow,
Or find he knocks upon my heart in vain.
Or find he knocks upon my heart in vain.

I mean.. This is how as Christians our mindset should be. This poem is originally written by Howard A. Walter and S. Ralph Harlow. Howard A. Walter is a missionary goes to India and Sri Lanka to do missions work and the doctor actually advised him to not continue his work due to his poor heart, but he insisted that he "must be true", hence he wrote this hymn while he is in Japan and sent it to his mother which then becmae fameous because it was published on a magazine. He died at the age of 35 because of a flu pandemic. I'm going to continue to meditate on these lyrics cause they are just so beautiful. 

If you want to listen to the hymn, click on this link: http://library.timelesstruths.org/music/I_Would_Be_True/hifi/