Teach Me Within

I've always been a better thinker than a doer. I'm better with the theoretical than the practical. It doesn't help that I lack coordination. So it is easier for me to design or plan something than it is for me to execute the plan or design. I remember one time while we were living in Haiti. Ingrid's parents were visiting and we thought it would be a good time to finally put up some curtains in the dining room. I made the pattern. Ingrid and her mom made the curtains and her dad hung them. We were each operating in our own gifting.

Our Dining Room Curtains

Unfortunately, this mental thing had also affected my spiritual life. I was good at Bible study. I enjoyed finding out things about God. But I was feeling spiritually dry because my knowledge about God did not always translate into a better relationship with God. When we returned to the US, I decided to place more emphasis on actually developing my relationship with God as opposed to just learning more things about Him. It was during this period in my life I wrote this song. It has more of a country-western feel to it as I felt that style was appropriate for the topic at hand.

Teach Me Within

© Edd Russell (Fall 1994)

 

C                                  F

I've read a lot of books, Lord,

                    C                           G

but that doesn't fill my soul.

       C                        F 

I know a lot of things, Lord,

                     C                                   G

But that doesn't make me whole.

 

CHORUS

F                  G                         C

   What I need, Lord, is You 

F                              G               C

    to come and fill me anew;

         F                        C              F                          G

To teach me within, and keep me from sin,

          F                                        G               C

That I may know what's right and true. (2X)

 

 

I can do a lot of things, Lord,

But that doesn't make me smart;

I've even done some good deeds,

But that doesn't set me apart.

 

I own a lot of things, Lord,

But that doesn't give me wealth;

I can eat well and exercise,

But that doesn't give me health.