Maybe it’s just me, but isn’t it funny how we often associate things we experience or hear with something we’ve done, heard, or seen before. It’s that déjà vu thing…all over again. Wow, I hope it isn’t just me!
Many of us have probably heard that famous one-liner, “Take my wife, please”…actually originated by Henny Youngman and not Rodney Dangerfield. (if you’re not with me – Google it!) Youngman probably didn’t “really” want someone to “take his wife” – it was a great one-liner, for which he is remembered and that got him tons of laughs.
Recently, that one-liner came to mind. I was driving to work and the Passion Band version of the hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be” came on the iPhone. It’s a great hymn of surrender and I really like the added chorus by Tomlin and Giglio – in fact, we sang it at church this past Sunday.
Anyway, shift to me driving down the road (in traffic) singing/mumbling the words – I’ll admit, probably thinking of a bunch of other stuff (like trying to not rear-end the car in front of me!). I got through most of the song before I really realized what I was saying/singing/mumbling – wow, some pretty serious lyrics!
Did I really mean them? Could I actually sing them…honestly?
I believe I (and you) can honestly sing them, but only with help. Help that comes from the One we are singing to – GOD. Mind boggling – we can only surrender with the aid of the One we surrender to.
(BTW, I think this is what draws me to listen mostly to Christian-themed music – I like lyrics that I can live or “REPRESENT” – even if poorly at times. Not that there is ANYTHING wrong with music that is not labeled “Christian” – I listen to it also.)
BOTTOM LINE: Youngman probably didn’t mean what he said – I pray that we ALWAYS mean what we sing/say to God (even if we only can with His help.)
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Take My Life and Let It Be
Frances Ridley Havergal (chorus by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio)
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
Here am I, all of me
Take my life, its all for thee
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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