tho’ much is taken, much abides… August 28, 2007
Posted by admin in : Christian Life, Life, Quotes , add a comment…Come, my friends,
‘Tis not too late to seek a newer world.
Push off, and sitting well in order smite
The sounding furrows; for my purpose holds
To sail beyond the sunset, and the baths
Of all the western stars, until I die.
It may be that the gulfs will wash us down:
It may be we shall touch the Happy Isles,
And see the great Achilles, whom we knew.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides; and tho’
We are not now that strength which in the old days
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal-temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.
Ulysses - Alfred Tennyson
As I read this poem by Tennyson, the line “tho’ much is taken, much abides” stands out. It’s been a difficult time, and the words at the end - “to strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield” have a sense of perseverance and determination about them. How does this apply to my life as a Christian? What does it say?
On August 15th, my dad died. He was 89, and yes that’s a great age, but still, he’s gone!
Tho’ much is taken, much abides.
After the funeral, what then? People think you’ll be OK. The world goes on. But it doesn’t.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides.
It’s been a hard year for work, times of very little, and uncertainty about the future.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides.
My children are growing up fast, next year my eldest will start work, he may leave home.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides.
Friends are having difficult times, it’s hard to see the end. It’s hard at times to have faith.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides.
I am now the oldest generation of my family in this country.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides.
Sometimes, only sometimes, it all seems to difficult. Then God moves in small ways.
Tho’ much is taken, much abides… To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.