Vanity by Van

Pride is such a subtle thing
        It is hard to know it
For we work so very hard
        Trying not to show it.

When we find it hard to do
        What we know we ought
It is because pride has done its work
        And we are surly caught!

When we believe that other folk
        Will think so ill of us
While we would never be like that
        If they should make a fuss.

Now why would one so old as I
        Want to be the church's pastor?
Surly if it were pride that spawned it
        The relationship would be a disaster.

But when you feel that you have a need
        To hear men's accolades
And yet you know those very words
        So very quickly fades

Others, you know, can do it better
        For they are young and strong
And they would be more successful
        In serving and in song

But it is hard to let go and
        God's humility to be imbibing
When your very name is so much
        A part of the word I am describing

May 21. 1997