According to Your Word

words & music by Doug Howell (28 May 1980)

I’ve spent my whole life
running away from pain
thinking it wasn’t your will
always asking questions
demanding you explain
never hearing you say,
“Be still.”

let it be done to me
according to your word
till your love flows through me
into this dying world
can’t shut my eyes to all I’ve seen
deny what I have heard
let it be done to me
according to your word

Lord, I know you never
turned away from pain
instead you took it face to face
you won the victory
even through the cross
Lord, I want to follow
in your ways

let it be done to me
according to your word
till your love flows through me
into this dying world
can’t shut my eyes to all I’ve seen
deny what I have heard
let it be done to me
according to your word

℗ © 1986 Dweller by the Light Stream Music, assigned to Creative Measures (ASCAP)

2011 Notes

Like Frances in Under the Tuscan Sun, I’m getting more familiar with Mary these days. ‘Course it doesn’t hurt to have a high-church Episcopal priest for a partner, either. But she’s always captured my imagination. And quite right, too. When God asked her to give everything, she said Yes. And of course, this song is based on her response: “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word.” (Lk 1:38, KJV). John Wesley, in his Notes on the Bible says it is not improbable that this prayer of humble obedience and faith was the very moment of conception. Could any more blessing come from one simple act of obedience?

Are we willing to set aside our own plans in order to follow His bigger plan? Are we willing to risk following God, even when it looks like it might lead to suffering and ridicule? I wonder what phenomenal, glorious things might happen if we could?

Lord, whenever and whatever you may ask, let my answer be the same, simple, faithful answer of Mary.