Take my Life and Let it be – What Does This Mean?

You will quickly find (if you have not already) that I end each service with “Let us go forth and serve the Lord.” This hymn emphasizes this message so well. Much like the apostle James says, “I will show you my faith by my works,” this hymn clearly gives answers and examples for how we can “go forth and serve the Lord.”

Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Each day is a chance to serve the Lord. We do not only serve the Lord on Sunday morning, but every morning and in very different ways. Sunday morning strengthens us for all that we will do throughout the week. Mission work is a daily endeavor as we live life around those who need to hear about Jesus’ love for them.

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.

In other words, “What can we do and where can we go to serve the Lord?” While the first stanza focuses on days and times, this stanza focuses us on actions and places for us to serve one another. Surely we serve each other in our church, but we also serve others in our community. As we often hear, “Actions speak louder than words.” Our example shows Christ to our community.

Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.

We all know that Christians love to sing and love to praise the Lord. Singing is the joyful noise that can change the culture of any congregation. But this stanza also draws us to reflect on what we say to the people we interact with. Although most of our conversations are probably not about the promises of the Gospel, what we say to others can shape how they think about us and about the Church.

Take my silver and gold,
Not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose.

Usually when we sing a stanza like this one, we automatically think that the pastor and the church are “asking for money again.” But that does not have to be the case. We all know that there are many ways that we can use our money for the good of our neighbor. We can feed others who are hungry. We can clothe those who are naked. We can recycle items for use at VBS. We can support the youth for their camp each year.

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.

In these closing stanzas of our hymn this time, we remember why we do what we do. It is because our will and heart have been won by grace through faith by our Lord Jesus Christ. It is through us that Christ continues to reign as King of Kings. We are the instruments and tools that the Lord uses to pour out His love to His people and to those who are not yet His people. God always uses means, or ways, to have mercy. And we are those who show His mercy to those who need it. Take myself, and I will be, ever, only, all for Thee.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Rev. James Peterson
St. John
Curtis, Nebraska