Heidi Viars

Stories about the Imago Dei and other Holy Moments

What I Can’t Do

What I can’t do, LORD, do for me
When weakness is my only strength
In faintness be my Energy
In battle, LORD, be my defense.

What I don’t know, teach through Your Word
Keep me from earthly wisdom’s bait
Help me trust Scriptures where You’re heard
Lean on Your Spirit while I wait.

What I can’t see, through plank-filled eyes
Illuminate for me today
See others’ specks through grace not pride
Remove my blinders in the way.

What I can’t be, LORD, be in me.
Transform my heart, my soul, my mind
Burn dross and my impurity
Until my silver is refined.

What I owe You, I cannot pay
Can’t be nor do the things I should
In Christ You made for me a way:
He paid for what I never could.

Hebrews 10:14
“For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those
who are being sanctified.”

(Pictures and Poetry, Heidi Viars, 2019)

Heidi Viars

September 8, 2019

Christian Poetry, church, Devotional, poetry, Ponderings, Revival, Song, Sunrises – Pictures

Christ’s sacrifice, depravity, dross, refine, sanctification, sufficiency

20 responses to “What I Can’t Do”

Jeanne Takenaka

September 10, 2019 at 7:49 pm

Heidi, this poem is so beautiful. As I read it, I prayed it. I’m so thankful our Father loves us in our weakness, our ugliness, that He completes us in our utter lack. We really do need Him for everything.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 10, 2019 at 8:16 pm
  
  It has been my prayer as well, Jeanne. While we are weak and can truly do nothing, He has chosen us to be His vessels… utterly mind-boggling 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Bill Sweeney

September 10, 2019 at 4:03 pm

Beautiful poem, Heidi.
“What I can’t do, LORD, do for me
When weakness is my only strength
In faintness be my Energy
In battle, LORD, be my defense.”
I can so relate to this.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 10, 2019 at 8:59 pm
  
  Bill, you (and Mary) are a great witness to the truth of God being our strength! Thanks for living this truth out faithfully and inspiring us in it!!!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Mary Sweeney

September 10, 2019 at 3:23 pm

This is so good, Heidi! I agree that this should be a song. I think you should give it to your friend who sings and have him put music to it. As I read the end, my mind went back to a Christmas card we sent out years ago that had a lamb on the front and said “He paid a debt He did not owe; I owe a debt I can not pay”. I think your heart is where He wants us all to be. Thanks for putting it in words.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 10, 2019 at 9:06 pm
  
  Like I said to Bill, you two are faithful witnesses to what God can do through us and our weaknesses. But God does not stop at giving strength … He also paid our entire load of debt … so amazing. Thanks for reading, dear friend! Big (ole) hug!!!! 🤗
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Debbie

September 9, 2019 at 7:42 pm

Wow Heidi . . .i just had tears as I read this. I need Him so! Thank you for sharing your poems and words from Him . Love and prayers!

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 9, 2019 at 8:49 pm
  
  Debbie, I too need Him more than anything. John 15:5 comes to mind … “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.”
  Love and prayers from here, too ❤️🙏
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Nancy Ruegg

September 9, 2019 at 4:56 pm

I agree with Karen (above): Every verse of this poem is full of impact! #4 is my favorite. Thanks be to God He IS burning away the dross and impurities in my spirit (Philippians 1:6). One day I will be pure silver, gleaming bright!

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 9, 2019 at 7:16 pm
  
  Nancy, thank you so much for your encouragement! I just read Kay Arthur’s “As Silver Refined” … The theme of that book came to mind. Blessings to you, dear Nancy
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
Karen Lehner

September 8, 2019 at 10:43 pm

Love this, Heidi- every verse is full of impact but I relate so strongly to the middle verse- yes, “plank-filled eyes” indeed! How gracious of our Lord to offer clear vision of Truth to all who will receive.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 9, 2019 at 9:41 am
  
  This poem came together because of the thorough conviction of that verse. Ugh. Thanks for reading and letting me know you did, Karen. Have a beautiful (less plank-filled) week 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
krc

September 8, 2019 at 10:12 pm

says it all

beautiful

thanks

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 9, 2019 at 7:33 am
  
  Thanks for coming in 🙂 I so enjoy your blog, friend!!!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
awomanaftergodsownheart170052837

September 8, 2019 at 7:35 pm

Wow Heidi! This is excatly how I feel! Thank you for putting into word what my heart feels! What a blessing! Im praying for you guys this week! 💕 Hugs, Wendy 🙂

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 8, 2019 at 7:42 pm
  
  Sweet Wendy, thanks for your comment … and for your faithfulness in letting the Lord work in and through your weakness. The Christian life is a journey through our weaknesses into God’s provisions in Jesus Christ. We fall short. He remains faithful. Keep walking, sister! Love you ❤️
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
acquelinewhyte51

September 8, 2019 at 7:13 pm

I can so relate to this poem Heidi. I’m now going through some horrific pain in my neck and back. Don’t know what I would do with myself if my ABBA wasn’t right in it with me! It’s caused me to try to imagine what pain Jesus must have suffered during His crucifixion. I’m sure mere words could never remotely come close to the truth of it! This poem is beautiful and I feel the same things that you have described in it. Thank you for sharing your gift and the blessing it brings.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 8, 2019 at 7:38 pm
  
  Dearest Jaqueline, thank you for sharing this. I am praying for you to feel some relief, but more so for you to sense God’s presence. “Lord, I pray for my sister. Show her Your gracious presence in the midst of her pain and undesirable circumstance. Be to her what people can’t be. Shower her with your love, through the people around her … and when they fall short of your love, pour it into her heart through the Holy Spirit! … in Jesus’ Name!”
  Sending you a big (but gentle) hug 🙂
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply
francesrogers

September 8, 2019 at 6:58 pm

Dear Heidi, This is beautiful. It should be a hymn, sung to the Lord’s glory. I hope you and your family are well. Blessings for a new week as in out weakness, we know His presence and HIs strength.

LikeLike

Reply
1. Heidi Viars
  
  September 8, 2019 at 7:09 pm
  
  I had originally subtitled it “A Sunday Song” 🙂 Thank you, dearest Fran, for always showing us the Glory of God in your writing. He is indeed our Strength. Sunday blessings to you, friend!
  
  LikeLiked by 1 person
  
  Reply