Consecration

I love old hymns. I love the stories behind them. Maybe it’s because I grew up singing old hymns (yes, in Beirut, Lebanon!). Or maybe it’s because there is so much Biblical truths in them. The old hymns remind me of an era where love of God and consecration to Him meant everything. I’ve been thinking about consecration lately. What are you consecrated to? What occupies your time, your hobbies, your thoughts? Every one of us is consecrated to something. Some to career, some to position, others to money and fashion and friends. Yet even in this consumer driven age, there are some that would cry out for more. There is more to life than this….For those who seek for more, God shows up, and captures the heart. My heart has been captured by Him. I long to be consecrated to Him in thought, and word, and deed.

Frances Havergal wrote a great hymn many many years ago. It’s my own father’s favorite hymn. I’ve included part of her journal entry as it relates to the circumstances surrounding the writing of the hymn, and I’ve included the words to that famous old hymn. As you read the words to they hymn, ask yourself what you are consecrating your days to. What are you living for?

“I went for a little visit of 5 days. There were 10 persons in the house, some uncoverted 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 after I had retired, the governess asked me to go to the two daughters. They were crying; then and there both of them trusted and rejoieced; it was nearly midnight. 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!”. Frances Havergal.

Take my life and let it be, consecrated Lord to thee

Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless 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 power 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.

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