Light from Many Lamps post 1
“I triumph still if thou abide with me”-Henry Francis Lyte
Henry Francis’s Lye story resonated strongly with me. The history of the hymn and it’s worldwide impact is proof that you can lead from wherever you are at. Even beyond the grave. There are many times as a leader where you feel your words are lost on deaf ears. Our words, our actions, our accomplishments have the power to influence others in ways we never thought of. Leadership starts with the heart. Henry’s heart was breaking for the sake of his people. He truly believed he had failed them. Failure has a funny way of bringing out the best in us. It was in this dark place that Henry rose from the ashes and wrote this life-giving hymn in his final days. Abide with me, is a lifestyle. When we act in accordance with God’s word and follow him all things are possible. Henry’s influence little did he know would reach hundreds of people globally and through the ages.
The Hymn Abide with Me has been a favorite family hymn from the time I was small. I come from a family of missionaries and pastors. My grandmother played the piano every Sunday at church. I can hear the first few notes in my head and can be instantly transported to my childhood. One impact it has on my life and practice of leadership is no matter how small you think your scope of influence is be prepared for how far it reaches. Always leave something better than when you found it. The second impact it has is the reminder I am never alone. We have a faithful loving God that goes before us and after us. He wants us to succeed. By Abiding with him we truly cannot fail.
Watson, L. E. (1988). Light from many lamps. New York: Simon & Schuster.
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