“Shepherd me, O Lord, beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life.”
Thus begins one of my favorite hymns at my parish. And the line “beyond my wants” is particularly striking for me. I think that the lyricist was probably referring to “wants” as we might use the term in the phrase “a person in want of a good meal”. This has an implication of a real need. However, for me I take the word ”want” in a different way.
All my needs have been more than amply met by my Lord through my dear husband and others. On the other hand, I have a long list of wants and plans that may or may not be in the Lord’s plans for me. In the movie “Bella”, there is a line to the effect that if you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans. Boy, did I get a good laugh out of that!!!
I find the hymn to be a good reminder to temper my plans remembering always that God is in control, shepherding me past my wants and my fears. And I thank God that he is in control. If I held the remote control for my life, what a mess it would be!!!
