The Valley of Vision: Devotion to God


God of my end,

It is my greatest, noblest pleasure
    to be acquainted with Thee
    and with my rational, immortal soul;

It is sweet and entertaining
    to look into my being
    when all my powers and passions
    are united and engaged in pursuit of Thee,
    when my soul longs and passionately breathes
    after conformity to Thee
    and the full enjoyment of Thee;

No hours pass away with so much pleasure
    as those spent in communion with Thee
    and with my heart.

O how desirable, how profitable to the Christian life
    is a spirit of holy watchfulness
    and godly jealousy over myself,
    when my soul is afraid of nothing
    except grieving and offending Thee,
    the blessed God, my Father and friend,
    whom I then love and long to please,
    rather than be happy in myself!

Knowing, as I do, that this is the pious temper,
    worthy of the highest ambition, and closest
    pursuit of intelligent creatures and holy Christians,
    may my joy derive from glorifying and delighting Thee.

I long to fill all my time for Thee,
    whether at home or in the way;
    to place all my concerns in Thy hands;
    to be entirely at Thy disposal,
    having no will or interest of my own.

Help me to live to Thee for ever,
    to make Thee my last and only end,
    so that I may never more in one instance
    love my sinful self.