As the compass-needle's arms point to North, South, East and West

As the compass-needle's arms
point to North, South, East and West,
so the cross, through life's alarms,
helps us choose the way that's best.
Thank you, Lord, that you provide
this clear compass-cross to guide.

Where life's meaning is obscure,
through the valley of deep shade,
eyes are blind and hearts unsure;
Christ our Sun, shine through to aid,
showing where before us lies
journey's end in paradise.

Transitory earthly things
break like bubbles in the breeze,
hopes dry up like desert springs,
plans may crash like rootless trees.
Drench dry land, O Lord, with rain,
till we bear the harvest grain.

Countless voices seek to guide,
many paths there are to choose,
if we turn to either side
firm ground soon our feet will lose.
Take us by the hand, we pray,
lead us on the narrow way.

Lord, through dusty ways ahead,
save the stumbling, here below,
be on every path we tread,
show lost sheep which way to go.
Guide us through the sheepfold's door,
Till we come to joy once more.

Ernest Yang Yin-liu