Valerie Sjodin

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My Hymn Journal - Lighting My Darkness

It's interesting how words and songs take on broader and deeper meaning at different times. This hymn means much more to me than it did when I was younger.

"O Word of God incarnate, 

O Wisdom from on high,

O Truth unchanged, unchanging

O Light of our dark sky:

we praise you for the radiance that from the hallowed page

a lantern to our footsteps,

shines on from age to age."

William W. How

Hymnary.org

"O Word of God incarnate" is more personal to me now, referring to the person of Jesus, always with me, lighting the way in the world that sometimes seems so dark. "Lord, give me wisdom" is my constant prayer. I know wisdom is found through intimacy with God, being led by the Holy Spirit, and meditating on God's words in the Holy Bible.

The oil lamp is a beautiful symbol of the light of the Spirit, life, the humanity and deity of Jesus, and guidance, just enough for the next step. It is also a symbol of blessing and the presence of God. 

O LORD, you are my lamp.

The LORD lights up my darkness."

- 2 Samuel 22:29 NLT

For the materials used, I have chosen to use simple, dry media - pencil, pen and colored pencils. The journal itself is a grid Moleskine journal.