We sing “Take My Life” but do we really mean it?
Are we okay with God literally taking life?
And what if it’s a young person? A child or a teen or even someone middle-aged?
I mean, it’s hard enough losing a grandparent, someone old and maybe sick.
But a child, that precious bundle of energy? A teen with their whole lives ahead of them? A mom or dad who has maybe been married for less than twenty years and still has young children?
What if it’s ourselves?
A couple my pastor knows recently lost their young grandson.
One of my cousins died when she was fifteen–the same age as me.
I know a family whose wife/mom died unexpectedly a couple years ago; her youngest is around my age.
People’s grandparents and parents have died. People’s brothers and sisters have died. People’s spouses have died. People’s children and grandchildren have died. Aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews, friends–they’ve all died.
And while I haven’t yet lost someone really close to me (thank God), I know it’s hard. I know it hurts. I’ve sat at funerals and tried not to cry–not necessarily because I miss the deceased person but because I know those around me do, and I feel for them (plus, if somebody’s crying/tearing up, I very most likely will; I’m pretty emotional).
But we go to church and sing out the words “Take my life…” I realize that song is asking God to take every part of us (life, hands, feet, lips, possessions, etc.) and use them as He wishes, for His glory. But what if He took us literally? What if He wishes to actually take away our earthly lives (or a loved one’s) or take our possessions or our voice or whatever?
Would we be okay with that? Would we lift our hands up (if God hasn’t taken those) and say “Yes, God, Your will be done and Your name be praised”? Would we mean it?
We sing about Heaven and how we want to go there. . . but do we live like we mean that?
We talk about Jesus’ love for sinners. . . but do we show it to sinners (which is everybody including ourselves)?
We recite Romans 8:28 – “All things work together for good”. . . but do we remember that in the midst of our personal trials or inconveniences or storms?
Have we stopped and thought about those things (and others), and accepted and taken into our hearts their messages? Could we possibly be considered hypocrites: saying something, but not really meaning it; claiming to believe something, but perhaps not having ever really thought about it; telling others “Oh, remember this and do that” but not applying them to our own lives?
I’m mainly preaching at myself here, okay? It’s so easy for me to recite/read verses and totally not think about what they’re saying, or to sing songs in church while staring into space or at the page, listening to the symphony of voices around me–but not really paying attention to the message of what we’re singing.
But I don’t want to be like that. I want to mean what I say, even if–maybe especially if–they’re not my own personal words. I want to think about what I say and write and read and do, and apply it to my life and really believe it and be genuine.
And I ask y’all to keep me accountable. You might not know me personally, but feel free to contact me (by filling out the contact form or by emailing me at julie@wordslikeawaterfall.com) and ask how it’s going! Those of you who do know me, talk to me and don’t just automatically accept “I’m doing good” or whatever; dig a little deeper, ask me what I noticed in the verses/songs, something! I kind of dislike when people do that, but I know it’s good for me. 🙂 And if any of you want to join me in this, you can talk with me and/or get some family/friends to be your accountability partners.
Take my life, and let it be
“Take My Life, And Let It Be” by Frances Ridley Havergal
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
