“For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain.”

(Philippians 1:21)

During my youth, there was a hymn that I always sang with discomfort and anxiety. It went, "Wherever God may call me, even unto death, I will go, nameless, thanking and serving the Lord." While singing this hymn, I often wondered, "Can I really do live like that?" Although the melody of the hymn was very beautiful and I sang it with confidence, I always felt uneasy and unsure while singing. Interestingly, there are similar hymns in the UM Hymnal as well. Every time I sing “Take My Life, and Let it Be,” it reminds me of the hymn that I hesitated to sing.

Frances Ridely Havergal (1836-1879) was nurtured by her father, an Anglican clergyman, also devoted to Christian hymnody. “Take My Life, and Let It Be” was written by Frances Ridley Havergal in 1874. Though Havergal's health was frail and she lived barely 43 years, she found comfort in encouraging others to depend and put their trust in Jesus. We have an account in her own words concerning the composition of "Take My Life" in 1874:

"I went for a little visit for five days. There were ten persons in the house, some unconverted and long prayed for, some converted, but not rejoicing Christians. I prayed: "Lord, give me all in this house!" Before I left the house everyone 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 rejoiced; 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!'"

Nowadays, when I sing this hymn, I realize that I could not have lived with such conviction, but God heard my prayer for the strength to live in that way for more than thirty-something years. Thanks be to God for taking my life and letting it be for His kingdom, even though I lacked confidence!"

Pastor Seok-Hwan

REFLECTION AND PRAYER:

"Take My Life, and Let it Be"

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.

WORDS: Frances Ridley Havergal (1836-1879)

MUSIC: JHenri Abraham Cesar Malan (1787-1864)