In the center of the story is a song called Day by Day. The song plays host to a refrain that recaptures the words of a 13th century prayer. Dear Lord, these things I pray...
May I know Thee more clearly, Love Thee more dearly, Follow Thee more nearly.
Years ago, I started wrestling with classic spiritual disciplines. I launched a journey that would lead me to an experience with Jesus that has been sustaining for decades. In many ways my experiment with the disciplines of the church reflect the words of the prayer that became a song. These three things, O Lord, I pray; to know you more clearly, to love you more dearly, and to follow you more nearly.
Some might call it the CDN of the Christian life. It is the core of daily devotions and the center of faithful lives that are lived out around the world. Clearly, Dearly, Nearly are three words that add value to our spiritual vocabulary.
My friend Will Mancini says that "Clarity isn't everything, but it changes everything." That is true when it comes to living out a vision for the church and it is true when plotting a course for the spiritual life. Clarity in the way we see and seek Jesus will make all the difference.
Dearly, talks about relationship. It is a loving relationship that is growing each day. Wouldn't you want to describe your relationship with Jesus in this way? Would that word be a part of your testimony of faith? To love God with passion, conviction, and with a spirit of hope ... that is the goal.
Then there is the language of proximity. To follow you more nearly. I don't want to be left behind. I don't want Jesus to get out of sight or out of mind. I want to stay on track, to stay close, to draw ever closer because while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
CDN is a day-by-day process. Day by day, these things I pray...
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