Brighten the Corner

I was thinking about this song today. We (meaning me) often think we have to do something big or grand as a response to God's grace. That kind of thinking becomes, in itself, a law we cannot fulfill. We simply live. We do the work that is laid before us. We make sandwiches, plow fields, perform surgeries, teach lessons, and love the people around us.

Do not wait until some deed of greatness you may do,
Do not wait to shed your light afar;
To the many duties ever near you now be true,
Brighten the corner where you are.
- Refrain:
  Brighten the corner where you are!
  Brighten the corner where you are!
  Someone far from harbor you may guide across the bar;
  Brighten the corner where you are!
Just above are clouded skies that you may help to clear,
Let not narrow self your way debar;
Though into one heart alone may fall your song of cheer,
Brighten the corner where you are.
Here for all your talent you may surely find a need,
Here reflect the bright and Morning Star;
Even from your humble hand the Bread of Life may feed,
Brighten the corner where you are.

It would be easy to think of the story of this song as sad, but I think the author chose to view the circumstances as positively as possible.

We don't know how God is using us in many and various ways. Who is being shaped by us? Who is turning us into better soil? Only the Spirit knows.

In the meantime...

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