Light in a Tunnel
Dedicated to Dean Baender
Reference: John 8:12
Download PDF: English
John 8:12 truly is a wonderful verse, especially when the going’s tough. Jesus is the Light of the world – He is the One who can make everything clear in the darkest storm or the gloomiest night! And this is true even in those times when it feels as if we’re slogging through one of those long, long alpine railroad tunnels which go through the Swiss and German hills (the longest is seven miles – don’t hold your breath or you’ll pass out!).
This song’s dedicated to Dean because he’s the kind of guy who can see the bright spot – the Lord – in any situation (he’s a realist too, which makes him a very valuable friend…).
But there’s a historical connection too. Dean was on the Valley Church Sound Crew when he was in senior high. Well, part of the sound crew’s domain in the sanctuary is the access tunnel which runs above the roof of the sanctuary. And (here’s the connection) there’s a picture in the Student Ministries 1988 Senior High “Yarbook” of Dean and a few other guys posing in the tunnel. Okay, it’s a bit farfetched… but these guys look so cool/studly – and, by the way, all of them were also in Living Water that year!
In the desp’rate times, when I cannot find the path,
I wish for peace instead of war, grace instead of wrath,
When the light departs, and the walls grow cold and gray,
I cry to God for light, to bing me to the day.
And when the tunnel’s dark and I cannot see
which way I’m supposed to go,
I keep my eyes of faith on You ’cause
You’re the only One I know
Who will lead me to the other end
and give me spiritual sight,
For You, O Lord, are Joy and Peace,
Almighty, Holy Light.
In the trial’s heart, when I feel the thick’ning gloom,
I seek divine deliverance, lest I meet my doom,
When the danger grows, and I sense the slipp’ry slope,
I reach to God for peace, for everlasting hope.
Ever-present Lord, see me safely through,
Everlasting God, I turn my eyes to You.
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