In the throes of meeting daily care and the seeming endless attendant to the cares of this life, I am often reminded of one of the verse of this lovely hymn where Oatman wrote, “Cares of life perplex and grind me, Yet I keep the narrow way.” Nonetheless, the Lord’s warning still ring loud and clear:
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.” – Luke 21:34
The need to be highly disciplined while we attend to the cares of this life to prevent harm to our spiritual progress is something we all should keep at the back of our mind.
Since I started out to find Thee,
Since I to the cross did flee,
Every bridge is burned behind me;
I will never turn from Thee.
Refrain
Strengthen all the ties that bind me
Closer, closer, Lord to Thee,
Every bridge is burned behind me;
Thine I evermore will be.
Thou didst hear my plea so kindly;
Thou didst grant me so much grace,
Every bridge is burned behind me;
I will ne’er my steps retrace.
Refrain
Cares of life perplex and grind me,
Yet I keep the narrow way.
Every bridge is burned behind me;
I from Thee will never stray.
Refrain
All in All I ever find Thee,
Savior, Lover, Brother, Friend,
Every bridge is burned behind me;
I will serve Thee to the end.
Refrain
– Author:
Oatman, Johnson Jr., 1856-1922
