This Years Increase
What has it meant to serve the Lord in this year now past
Has it brought you closer to Him or left you horribly aghast
At the problems folks can’t overcome and the sin dwelling within
That which so easily besets you, dragging you down when
Your sight fails to see the good plans He has for you
And focuses instead on what you can be and do
His promise, His answer in the last hours of this year
Show in the place where His Spirit has chosen to steer
So close your eyes and undo your earthly sight
Let it be that your blindness in this hour of the night
Opens your heart to see beyond your vision in this late hour
And know that His purpose is not to increase you or your power
One place in His Word exclusively proclaims your soul’s need
Is to reckon His place is to gain and yours to simply recede
Are you greater in men’s eyes than the Lord you proclaim
Or is your heart sorrowed that their admiration of you is tamed
What must you be promised to continue to serve
Jesus who went to the cross for you, the one you deserve
Just as you would not eat your meal if the food was not done
Knowing that proper preparation makes it much more fun
So would the Lord not withhold life’s difficult trials
For He knows your victories lead to grateful smiles
And to let others see you struggle for the one you adore
Means simply for you to be less and Him to be more
I hope that your year has been much like mine
Glad to still be here enjoying how we’re intertwined
And while longing to be home and done with this place
I’m called to wait and look at your lovely face
For by His wisdom and grace we are made more like Him
When we see ourselves as the lowest of men
Now here is the truth which I’ll clearly state again
He must increase and I decrease for me to win
The matter before us is not how great we can be
But is more of my love for Him, all that matters to me
For by grace are we saved, and His mercy we claim is a plus
So I pray this new year shows our highest aim is Jesus.