by Minnie Louise Haskins

I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year,
“Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.”

And he replied, “Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!”

So I went forth and finding the Hand of God
Trod gladly into the night.
He led me towards the hills
And the breaking of day in the lone east.

So heart be still!
What need our human life to know
If God hath comprehension?

In all the dizzy strife of things
Both high and low,
God hideth his intention.

* * *

I first read this poem in a book, Against the Night, which quoted only the first four lines. Still, it quickly became a favorite of mine. I had no idea that there was more to the poem. But just those few lines were so deep and profound, they seemed complete standing alone. Later I was able to find the entire poem, as well as a little history behind it.

To me, this poem is a great reminder that the best of human vision is less than the least guidance we receive from God. At the very moment when we think we know what we are doing, and don’t need God’s guidance, we are most blind. And conversely, when we are in the greatest darkness about our present or future circumstances, but walking in hand with God, we are the most secure.