Blog #8 - Hymns That Shaped Me.

Loving Shepherd, ever near,

Teach Thy lamb Thy voice to hear;

Suffer not my steps to stray

From the straight and narrow way.

Where Thou leadest I would go,

Walking in Thy steps below,

Till before my Father’s throne,

I shall know as I am known.

The first time I sang this hymn was in primary school. It was part of our morning assemblies, and like many children, I sang the words without fully understanding their weight. But over time, it became more than just a school memory, it became a common song in church, woven into the rhythm of my Sundays.

'‘I grew up attending an Anglican Church, and one of the things I cherished most were the hymns’. The words were deep, rich with theology and emotion, and packed full of meaning. They weren’t just songs; they were prayers, declarations, and sometimes, gentle rebukes wrapped in melody.

Even now, I often catch myself bursting into hymns without warning. One line triggers a memory, or a moment of stillness gives space for a tune to rise and suddenly, I’m singing. These hymns have left a lasting imprint on my spirit.

This one in particular - Loving Shepherd, ever near - reminds me of the safety in being led. Of the beauty in following. Of the childlike simplicity in learning to hear His voice and stay close.

In a world that often celebrates loudness, speed, and independence, hymns like this bring me back to the quiet strength of being guided. Not striving, just following.

And truly, what more could I want than to walk in His steps below… until I stand before my Fathers throne ?