The Weekly Encourager - June 1, 2010 - Invictus

The recent film Invictus [Latin for "unconquerable"] inspires us with the story of Nelson Mandela's determination to survive prison and emerge stronger to lead his country.  The true story shows what man can achieve by his own power.  How much more man can achieve by God's power!  When I am weak, He is strong.  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!  In Christ we are more than conquerors. This is Victory Unconquerable, Victory Invictus!  I hope you enjoy Day's answer to Henley's poem.


Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

- William Ernest Henley (1849-1903)

My Captain

Out of the light that dazzles me,
Bright as the sun from pole to pole
I thank the God I know to be
For Christ the conqueror of my soul.

Since His the sway of circumstance
I would not wince nor cry aloud
Under the rule which men call chance
My head with joy is humbly bowed.

Beyond this place of sin and tears
That life with Him! And His the aid,
That, spite the menace of the years,
Keeps, and shall keep, me unafraid.

I have no fear, though strait the gate,
He cleared from punishments the scroll;
Christ is the Master of my fate,
Christ is the Captain of my soul.

- Dorothea Day