On the day fear parks itself in my throat;
when the mountain to be climbed
is the next twenty-four hours
and my ears already echo
with the news I do not want to hear;
as my stomach plummets
and fear pick-axes my heart;
while my mind careens
from possibility to possibility;
as the edges of my known world crumble,
at the very hour despair storms the gates,
Jesus, Saviour, pilot me.
Lead me from the rocks of panic.
Rig me with sails of courage to weather this storm.
Keep me on course as I’m buffeted by an ill wind.
Bless my soul with confidence
in your sustaining care.
This day too is the day of the Lord.
I am a Mennonite pastor currently teaching theology at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. I’ve served congregations in Ontario and most recently, Alberta.