私は火を通って歩いた

I did not know His love before,

the way I know it now.

I could not see my need for Him,

my pride would not allow.

I had it all, without a care,

the Self-sufficient lie.

My path was smooth, my sea was still,

not a cloud was in my sky.

I thought I knew His love for me,

I thought I'd seen His grace,

I thought I did not need to grow,

I thought I'd found my place.

But then the way grew rough and dark,

the fire clouds quickly rolled;

The waves began to rock my ship,

my anchor would not hold.

The ship that I had built myself

was made of foolish pride.

It fell apart and left me bare,

with nowhere else to hide.

I had no strength or faith to face

the trials that lay ahead,

And so I simply prayed to Him

and bowed my weary head.

His loving arms enveloped me,

and then He helped me stand.

He said, you still must face this fire,

but I will hold your hand.

So through the dark and lonely night

He guided me through pain.

I could not see the light of day

or when the fire might wane.

Yet through the aches and endless tears,

my faith began to grow.

I could not see it at the time,

but my light began to glow.

I saw God's love in brand new light,

His grace and mercy, too.

For only when all self was gone

could God' love shine through.

It was not easy in the fire,

I sometimes wondered, why

At times I thought, I can't go on.

I'd hurt, and doubt, and cry.

But God never left my side,

He guided me each day.

Through pain and strife,

through fire and flood,

He helped me all the way.

And now I see as never before

how great His love can be.

How in my weakness He is strong,

how God cares for me!

He worked it all out for my good,

although the way was rough.

He only sent what I could bear,

and then He cried, Enough!

He raised His hand and said, be still!

He made the fire clouds cease.

He opened up the gates of joy

and flooded me with peace.

I saw His face now clearer still,

I felt His presence strong,

I found anew His faithfulness,

He never did me wrong.

Now I know more fires will come,

but only for my good,

For pain and tears have helped me grow

as nothing else ever could.

I still have so much more to learn

as God works in me;

If in the fire I'll love Him more,

that's where I want to be!