1. With a small spark of faith in my Savior, I abandoned the waste of sin. I approached a pure threshold of water— Through a beautiful gate went in. Relying upon the merits Of the one who had suffered my blame, With my feet on the covenant pathway Soon the spark would become a flame.
2. With his hope as the earnest of promise I advanced, clinging to the rod; By degrees, pressing forward, unshaken, To discern the sure voice of God. He was my fast friend in weakness, When I saw lesser hopes were torn apart. I set down the rude torch that I carried, For a day star rose in my heart.
3. As the beams from my eyes were removèd, I saw clearly how far ahead Was the portal whose entry I longed for. He revealed something I lacked yet: Did I truly love my neighbor? Would I hold back or would I give my all? I fell down at the feet of my Savior— My heart contrite but still too small.
4. I will pray with resolve to the Father To be filled with the love of Christ, With full purpose engaged in his service, By no unworthy aim enticed. See each soul as of my fam’ly— Feeling each one’s sore need to be my own— Till the earth through that love be renewèd. None can enter the heav’ns alone.
5. Through firm faith, I rely on the Savior; With bright hope, I approach him more; Adding charity, come to be like him— Thus may I meet him at the door. As these three are united, So each soul with all others must agree— Ev’ry step that we take to the Father Made through faith, hope, and charity.