Lord, let me find my life in thee, and not in the mire of this world’s favour or gain.
“Lord, let me find my life in thee, and not in the mire of this world’s favour or gain” is a plea for spiritual fulfillment over worldly success. It expresses a desire to seek satisfaction and purpose in one’s spiritual journey rather than getting entangled in the pursuit of materialistic gains or societal approval.
The ‘mire of this world’s favor or gain’ refers to the muddy, murky nature of worldly pursuits. Just as it’s easy to get stuck in literal mire, so too can we become trapped by our own desires for wealth, status, or recognition. These things are transient and often lead to dissatisfaction because they don’t truly fulfill us.
Conversely, ‘finding life’ in something greater—here represented by ‘thee’, presumably referring to God—suggests seeking meaning outside material possessions or societal acceptance. This could be interpreted as pursuing a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s place within larger existential frameworks.
In today’s world dominated by consumerism and social media validation culture where worth is often measured by wealth accumulated or likes received on posts, this quote serves as a reminder about what truly matters. It encourages individuals to look beyond temporary gratification that comes from external validation and instead focus on internal growth which provides long-lasting satisfaction.
From a personal development perspective, it suggests that true fulfillment doesn’t come from what we acquire materially but rather how much we evolve spiritually and morally. It promotes self-reflection over mindless consumption; compassion over competition; contentment over constant comparison with others; inner peace over external chaos caused by relentless pursuit of worldly gains.
Applying this idea might mean different things for different people depending upon their beliefs – like focusing more on nurturing relationships than amassing riches; dedicating time towards helping others instead of solely advancing personal interests; pursuing passions fearlessly without worrying about societal judgment etc., essentially anything that enriches the soul rather than just filling up bank accounts or gaining societal approval.