I WOULD LIKE TO WORK FOR JESUS.
I would like to work for Jesus if I only knew the way,
Is the musing of my heart by night as well as day;
Then my mind's eye scans the vineyard; there are many things I see
That may be done for Jesus by as weak a one as me.
If I can't go in the harvest field with a reaper in my hand,
I can go among the gleaners, the meek and lowly band;
I can follow up the harvesters as they carry in the sheaves,
I can gather up the gleanings that the weary reaper leaves. But why turn me to distant fields? I have a work at home,
That can't be done by others, but by myself alone.
A work that's small, unnoticed, the world may never see,
But I must do it faithfully if I would perfect be.
I must cleanse my heart from every sin by heeding God's commands;
Must leave no room for lurking foe to bind me with his bands,
Make straight paths for my footsteps, lest some lame be turned away
From the path that leads to Heaven and the bright eternal day. I must with all men follow peace, God says it in his word,
And holiness, for lacking which no man shall see the Lord;
Look earnestly, lest I should fail of my Heavenly Father's grace,
Lest some root of bitterness spring up and love should be displaced;
Must judge not, must condemn not; for a judge's power is great,
Must forgive all men their trespasses, and must no being hate;
If I would not be a hypocrite, ere I would pluck the mote
From erring brother's tender eye, must cast my own beam out. O Heavenly Father, help all thy precepts to obey,
To walk in Jesus' footsteps in the strait and narrow way.
I fain would do thy righteous will, would meek and lowly be,
Like my divine Redeemer till I gain the victory,
O'er every sinful thought and word, o'er every evil deed,
O'er all the hateful passions that infest my heart like weeds,
Till love supreme reigns in my heart toward God and fellow-men,
And I am safe in Heaven where I ne'er shall sin again.