My Soul Must Seek to Carry On

My soul must seek to carry on, 

Though pressing sorrows fill the day. 

The finish line is yet beyond 

The trouble standing in the way. 

His Word has not the slightest changed; 

Fresh mercies flower new each day. 

My soul must seek to carry on, 

And not before this trial give way. 

 

My soul must seek to carry on, 

The truth requires I hold her fast. 

'Tis not my strength that readies me, 

But His provision, first to last. 

A mighty mandate rules in life 

For those whose love and call are sure: 

"He works together all for good," 

My soul has reason to endure. 

 

My soul has cause to carry on; 

The precious brethren cheer my way. 

And in the grace of fellowship,  

I find my burdens borne away. 

What grand design holds me in place, 

As members fitly each supply! 

My soul has cause to carry on; 

They carry me, as them do I. 

 

My soul is fit to carry on; 

A wondrous wardrobe aids me there. 

As arms and heart reach heavenward, 

A cloak of praise replaces care. 

Strong armor clothes me head to toe; 

I move equipped in heaven's might. 

My soul is fit to carry on, 

To war in prayer, and stand for right. 

 

My soul delights to carry on; 

His Blessed Spirit beckons me. 

That still small voice conveys a force 

Of confident security. 

The Prince of Promise leads me on; 

A life of fruitful labor, mine. 

My soul delights to carry on,  

Its joy renewed; the glory, Thine!

K. Hartnett, September 1998

I dedicated this poem to my senior pastor at the time, C.J. Mahaney, and gave it to him on his birthday.  As I wrote it, I felt a certain excitement of inspiration - a sense that the poem would be useful to many.  Several years later, when I learned that the commander of the lost Space Shuttle Columbia (Rick Husband) was a Christian, I sent this poem to his wife and her pastor.  I later learned that she read it before about 2500 VIPs at a black-tie event sponsored by the National Space Club.  She reportedly said to someone afterwards that she keeps a copy of it with her in her purse.

I have a version of the poem with a second column that lists out the various scripture references that are paraphrased in the poem.  If you'd like a copy of this you can find it here:
Download my_soul_must_seek_to_carry_on_word_file.doc

Comments

[westlakeal]

Kevin - a great poem: you know that this meant a lot to us at the Worship Conference. We will try to get the poster framed this week. Keep writing and blogging!