I Am Running Forth To Meet You

I am running forth to meet you, O my Master,     For they tell me you are surely on the way;     Yes, they tell me you are coming back again     (While I run, while I run).     And I wish my feet were winged to speed on faster,     And I wish I might behold you here to-day,     Lord of men.     I am running, yet I walk beside my neighbour,     And I take the duties given me to do;     Yes, I take the daily duties as they fall     (While I run, while I run),     And my heart runs to my hand and helps the labour,     For I think this is the way that leads to you,     Lord of all.     I am running, yet I turn from toil and duty,     Oftentimes to just the art of being glad;     Yes, to just the joys that make the earth-world bright     (While I run, while I run).     For the soul that worships God must worship beauty,     And the heart that thinks of You can not be sad,     Lord of light.     I am running, yet I pause to greet my brother,     And I lean to rid my garden of its weed;     Yes, I lean, although I lift my thoughts above     (While I run, while I run).     And I think of that command, 'Love one another,'     As I hear discordant sounds of creed with creed,     Lord of Love.     I am running, and the road is lit with splendour,     And it brightens and shines fairer with each span;     Yes, it brightens like the highway in a dream     (While I run, while I run).     And my heart to all the world grows very tender,     For I seem to see the Christ in every man,     Lord supreme.