Wednesday Worship - October 7, 2015
When I first heard the hymn Take My Life and Let it Be, the first person that came to my mind was Mother Theresa who lived an incredibly sacrificial, humble, Christ-like life, serving the poorest of the poor. When I read her biography, I was so taken by her sweet humble, joyful spirit, and her words that always pointed to Christ. Her life - one that was truly consecrated.
As I read the lyrics here again, I realize that a consecrated life is one that must be saturated in Christ.
Oh, that my life would indeed be consecrated to Thee...
Take My Life and Let it Be
Frances R. Havergal, 1874
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
History of the song...
Frances Ridley Havergal was the daughter of a church rector who loved to learn, becoming proficient in Greek and Hebrew. She was also a gifted singer and pianist.
The deepest desire of her heart was to be a "personal spiritual influence" upon others. She wanted her writings of prose and poetry to be spiritually beneficial to the saints.
Frances recounted the following story of how she came to write Take My Life and Let it Be:
"Perhaps you will be interested to know the origin of the consecration hymn, “Take my life.” I went for a little visit of five days. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted but not rejoicing Christians. He gave me the prayer, “Lord, give me all in this house!” And He just did! Before I left the house every one had got a blessing. The last night of my visit I was too happy to sleep, and passed most of the night in praise and renewal of my own consecration, and these little couplets formed themselves and chimed in my heart one after another, till they finished with, “Ever, ONLY, ALL for Thee!”
Please enjoy listening to Take My Life and Let it Be...
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Thank you for sharing this! I love that hymn and the sentiment. The story behind the writing makes it so real, and I hope that whenever I sing this hymn I will picture Frances rejoicing for the prayers being answered for her loved ones! I found you on Whole Hearted Wednesdays.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, You are very welcome!
DeleteThanks for sharing your heart on what the story of this hymn meant to you.
So glad you visited! :-)
I've heard this hymn many times, but I've never heard the story behind it. Thank you for sharing it. Her story is so inspiring! If only we all had such a compassionate heart for others - to long for God to use us to accomplish His purpose. Thank you for sharing this. I will most definitely be taking it to heart this week.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa, You are very welcome.
DeleteIndeed!
Thank you for sharing how the story of this hymn touched you. :-)
Great old hymn! The words to these old songs are so powerful and meaningful.
ReplyDeleteWe've started singing more hymns at our church. I had forgotten how much I loved them and how much theology is packed in each verse.
Thanks for sharing this today.
I found you on Titus 2. Hope you have a blessed day!
Melanie
Hi Melanie! Spotlighting these hymns has been such a treat as I've missed singing them so much. {The church we attend now is strictly Praise & Worship music.}
DeleteI agree, there is so much theology packed into them.
Your very welcome!
You too! :-)
I've not heard that song for a long time so it was good to be reminded of it. The lyrics are beautiful- and it was interesting to hear the story of how it came to be written as well.
ReplyDeleteHi Carly! Ever since I wrote this post, I find myself singing this hymn to myself every day. It is a wonderful prayer of the heart.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by! :-)