1. When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of Glory died; my richest gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.
2. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ, my God; all the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to his blood.
3. See, from his head, his hands, his feet, sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e'er such love and sorrow meet, or thorns compose so rich a crown.
4. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were an offering far too small; love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all.
While singing this hymn this morning I was thinking over the implications of the words. The first thing that struck me was in verse two where it says "all the vain things that charm me most" I got to thinking about all the things in this life that I have yet to fully sacrifice to the Lord, whether in giving them up or in giving them over to His will. I thought about my desires for the things of this life such as material possessions, relationships, and even future relationships. I can't help but think that those are things that I have not yet fully given over to His will. I say in my heart "but I want" or "yes, I'm consigned to Your will, but doesn't it include _____" I am again brought to the realization that I have not yet today given those fully over. I do think at times that I do, but then I grasp for them once again, clinging onto any hope of having them so desperately.
Then in the fourth verse where it states that God's amazing love demands my soul, my life and my all, Wow! It's one of those things that is so easy to say "yeah, I know that" but that you actually rarely sit down and think about. God shed His own Son's blood for me, He owns my life. Am I submitting to His authority? Or am I simply running around making decisions left and right without much thought as to His will? I confess that more often than not I don't bring every decision before His throne. Sure the "big" things I remember....but everything? Am I giving my all to Jesus? What does it mean to give my all? I think it points to the whole matter of control and my need to surrender it completely over. To not try and direct my life where I want it to be, to be doing what I think is right, or what I think will make me happy... I need to be emptied of myself, my pride, my own desires even that I may be filled with Christ. How could I want anything less when I see even the tiniest glimpse of what I am and Who Christ is?
This reminds me of another Hymn "I Surrender All" verse two goes like this : "All to Jesus I surrender; humbly at his feet I bow, worldly pleasures all forsaken; take me, Jesus, take me now." This is my desire and my song today.
