This is probably my all-time favorite song ever. I discovered it while on my mission. My companion had it on her compilation of EFY songs. The lyrics mean a lot to me because whenever I was going through a hard time or feeling especially inadequate, listening to this song always had a sort of magic to it that uplifted my spirits and helped me to overcome discouragement. It makes me feel like “I can do it!” and motivates me to “fresh courage take.” The line that says Faith in heaven lifts me up and shouts, I’ve just begun! gives me the happy feeling that I can always start life anew and make each day brighter than the day before. I feel so full of light and joy when I hear this song, as if all my doubts and fears are being overwhelmed by a flood of faith and hope. To this day, I can’t hear this song without thinking back with tearful gratitude to my sweet, life-changing experiences in the Philippines.
I also love the message of this song because of how much it reminds me of Alex. It seems like living by faith instead of fear has really become a major theme of his life and a motto that he lives by. That’s one of the things about him that has always inspired me. He’s always taking leaps of faith in his goal-setting and life’s ambitions instead of letting fear limit his potential to achieve. Doing so has greatly blessed his relationships as well. Instead of letting fear of rejection or awkwardness hold him back, he follows his impressions to do good and to serve others at every opportunity, full of faith that it will turn out to be a positive thing. Seeing his example makes me want to overcome my fears and act out of faith more often.
When choosing the songs for our wedding reception, I wanted this one to be on the list because I feel that it represents the essence of our relationship. Really, our whole courtship was built on this principle. If Alex had stayed in his comfort zone instead of acting in faith in many instances to grow our relationship, we honestly probably would have never gotten to know each other very well under the circumstances, let alone get married. I’m so grateful he let his faith lead the way. I truly believe that once we learn to live by faith instead of fear, that’s when miracles will start to happen in our lives. As President Monson put it, “The future is as bright as your faith!”
Like the sunlight falls on me,
Light from heaven lets me see.
And when the mists arise to blind my eyes,
Then the truth shines upon me and I see
Fear is a lie.
(Chorus)
Fear is like the clouds that veil the earth from the sun.
Faith is like the morning rays that break when night is done.
And though the fear inside me says that all my hope is gone,
Faith in heaven lifts me up and shouts, I’ve just begun!
And then I sing a song of praise
For the hope within me raised.
From the heights above – faith and hope are mine.
The clouds that covered me and kept me down are far behind.
Fear is like the clouds that veil the earth from the sun.
Faith is like the morning rays that break when night is done.
And though the fear inside me says that all my hope is gone,
Faith in heaven lifts me up and shouts, I’ve just begun!
Believing leads to truth and light.
Fear can turn the day to night.
Even in the dark the way is clear –
Always follow faith and never fear!
Fear is like the clouds that veil the earth from the sun.
Faith is like the morning rays that break when night is done.
And though the fear inside me says that all my hope is gone,
Faith in heaven lifts me up and shouts, I’ve just begun!