Category: Consecrate

Consecration

Romans 12 New International Version

A Living Sacrifice

12 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Frances Havergal (1836-1879) created one of the classic hymns of Christian commitment.  Referred to as the “consecration poet,” Havergal strived to live a life fully dedicated to Christ and to those she saw in any physical or spiritual need. 

We know that Havergal’s spiritual journey began early in her life, memorizing passages in the Bible at age 4 and writing verse by age seven. She was nurtured by her father, an Anglican clergyman, also devoted to Christian hymnody.  Though Havergal’s health was frail and she lived barely 43 years, she learned several modern languages as well as Hebrew and Greek. She was also a singer of some note and known as an accomplished pianist. 

This hymn of total dedication to Christ seems to cover every aspect of submission to him.  Each line begins with the compulsory verb “Take,” giving the sense of a continual prayer of petition. 

1 Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.

2 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,
swift and beautiful for thee.

3 Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.

4 Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.

5 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,
it shall be thy royal throne.

6 Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.

Consecration

Lord, you vowed that when I woke tomorrow

I would see amazing things unfold,

Yet my eyes are misted up with sorrow

And the sights I see are dark and cold.

Lord, you said that my imagination,

Couldn’t contemplate what was to be,

That my wildest dreams could never fashion

All your spirit had in store for me.

Where are all those promises so precious?

Where’s the Father’s strong protective hand?

Where’s the ever-present love of Jesus?

Where’s the grace in which I hoped to stand?

Where’s the Lord who said he’d never leave me?

Where’s the Spirit that he said he’d send?

Where’s the freedom that he said he’d give me?

Where’s the God who said he’d be my friend?

Precious child I’m standing right beside you,

And in love I’m holding out my hand.

There are things your spirit must attend to

If in grace and power you want to stand.

I can dry your bitter tears of sorrow,

In your life my hopes and dreams display

But if you would see great things tomorrow,

You must consecrate yourself today.

(AB)