We sing it on Sundays though I’m not sure we mean it.
Friends, I’m scared to mean it. For I don’t deserve it and know the kind of self-denial it requires. It’s hard. So is fervent praise some days.
Yet He wants nothing more from me. And nothing less.
It’s easier to sing it if you don’t know what it means. And I went years belting it out with ease. Then a professor ruined it by asking what consecrated meant to me.
And I didn’t know. Oh, my answer appeased her because I knew the definition of the word…but I didn’t really know how to apply it to my everyday living.
I couldn’t grasp how to make my life holy or sacred for Him.
But I’m learning. And I’m striving…
Friends, I want nothing more than for Him to take all of me.
Because I realize now, I was never mine to begin with.
And when I let Him take over. When I invite Him in to my everyday. When I look to Him before I act, think, do, live…I find it.
- Praise comes quickly.
- Worries cease.
- Pain dissolves.
- Love pours down.
- I receive…more than I gave.
My life intertwines with The Great I Am.
It’s then I find the kind of holy His glory is made of.
I become consecrated.
It takes daily surrender. Fervent seeking. Constant bending. You know what? He makes it worth our while…
Oh how He loves us.
Friends, will you pray this hymn with me?
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 You choose.
Here am I, all of me.
Take my life, it’s 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 Your feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Here am I, all of me.
Take my life, it’s all for Thee.
~~~~~~~~~~
To listen to Chris Tomlin’s version of this beloved hymn, CLICK HERE.
How about you, friends? Which verse do you struggle with most? How do you deny yourself and turn your everyday into ceaseless praise? I’d love to hear.
Thanks for sharing your time with me.
Simply striving,
Nikki
simplystriving 
This is one of many songs that I have sung for years…and NOW I listen carefully to the words and they are life-changing. Love this post friend.
Thank you, Mary…I’ll tweet ya! 😉
“Take my intellect and use
Every power as You choose.”
It was about 5 or 6 years ago when I began to sing regularly with our praise team and THIS is one of the songs I sing with my heart in my throat every time. I honestly feel for those who could sing this and not really listen or feel or understand what these words are saying. It’s a Holy Spirit gut punch! Love it, love it, love it.
Here am I, all of me.
Take my life, it’s all for Thee.
Oh yes…a gut punch! That’s what it is that puts my heart in my throat, too!
and my heart echos your words today, friend. Thanks for sharing with me!
I’m in this place right now. Questioning “do I really mean it?” Of course I do! But do I? We talked in Sunday school this weekend about what it would be like in heaven. Would we look down upon the earth at our loved ones in curiosity to see what and how they’re doing or would we be singing Holy, Holy, Holy and bowing before the Great I Am. I would like to think I’d be doing just that, but the human side of me struggles to imagine (or accept) separation from my loved ones. I’m so grateful God gave me a great big heart to love with reckless abandon, but I pray He will set my true heart’s focus where it needs to be – on Him.
Loved those thoughts, Rosann. I’m going to be thinking about them, thank you!
It’s all or nothing, isn’t it…no lukewarm accepted….oh I’m striving…
Good morning from Maine sweet, sister Nikki! I loved how you put, “I was never mine to begin with”… What a beautiful old song that is still used to encourage hearts today. I enJOYed this reminder greatly! May He have all of us today! ~ Love, Amy
Amen, my friend Amy! Thank you, sweet girl. I enJOY YOU!
Love and hugs to you, Nikki
Nikki, thank you for asking us to pray these word with you. There is something about praying the familiar that gives new meaning to a hymn I have often sung without even thinking about what I am saying. To be interywined with the Great I Am in my everyday, Wow. What an awesome thought! You bless my heart with His joy.
Happy Monday to you, Joy. Thank you for walking this path of seeking…digging deeper. allowing Him to permeate our everyday. Hugs to you!
So, So good, Nikki. I love that old hymn, and especially a Chris Tomlin version! Funny that you mention consecration. I’m writing a Bible study, and just finished dealing with that word. It’s CRITICAL in the life of a Christian!
Blessings to you today 🙂
Oh, I’m already looking forward to the BIble study, Susan! I read a few (what I could find) on the word before this and I couldn’t find much! Which is sad because like you said….so, so critical…
I so love this post! So. LOVE. it.
The verse “Take my hands and let them move At the impulse of Thy love.” speaks to me both as an artist and writer – but also in more literal terms… sometimes He really DOES take me hands and I love this visual of what He is doing – moving them at the impulse of His love! The verse that is hardest for me to actually DO? Well, it is: “Take myself and I will be Ever, only, all for Thee.” Sure – that is our hearts cry and desire… but really? “Ever” and “Only”? That is a tall order and some days I feel oh so height-impaired!
I love that you mention that He is the Great I Am! Years ago I remember Him ‘speaking’ to me about this… one of the things He showed me is that He is called the I Am – not the I Was – or the I Will Be… because He is right here, right now in this very present moment, just waiting for us to open our eyes and see Him!
There is serious POWER in our words – whether we speak them, sing them, or tap them out… it’s good to be aware of what it is that we are releasing when we ‘talk’ (sing/speak/write/LIVE!)
Thankful for you, and the words He forms with you… He speaks ever so gently loudly, partnering with you my friend! You and Him… always winning!
~Karrilee~
I feel like we just had a chat over coffee, Karrilee! Love your thoughts so much — wish we could chat more about them!
just know I was nodding my head saying “Yes, exactly!” the entire time…
So blessed by you, friend! Thank you…{{HUGS}}
Oh, another song that brings to my knees while tears flow down my face!
I struggle with giving ALL of me…I’m so selfish that I want to just keep “a little part of me”. But he doesn’t want just parts and really, I want him to fill every part of me. I’m learning to give my “will” that only HIS will in what I care for.
It’s so hard, isn’t it! ugh…I’m glad I’m not the only one who tears while thinking about it.
It’s all or nothing. no lukewarm accepted…praying I step it up every day…
As a singer on our worship teams, it’s easy sometimes to go through the motions, singing the songs, without them impacting my heart. I truly want to be impacted by every son I sing. Our pastor has been talking about worship, around the throne, and the awe of God. He is so worthy and my heart must be changed as I worship Him. I must be changed.
So blessed by you, friend. I’m picturing you singing this so I can listen in and pray along…
He is so worthy indeed. that says it all…
Letting my life be his, written by him, is so much more simple than I make it out to be. I panic when the unexpected happens or when the expected, but unwanted happens. Oh, to trust Him more and more.
Yes. trust… To remain fully His when caught off guard…
We are so kindred friend…and I know we can get this. {HUGS} Thanks for sharing with me today!
Amen! An idea I’ve fallen in love with recently is the todah, or thank offering. How, in the new covenant, that is the only sacrifice that matters: lifting our voices in praise and thanksgiving. And it is a sacrifice: to choose thanks and speak words of life and gratitude, to keep our eyes on Him. Beautiful, Nikki! Thanks:)
I’ve seen you live this well, Mandy! and I agree…it’s a sacrifice. one that’s well worth the price! Yes, let’s keep striving to offer our thanks! Hugs to you, friend!
great post Nikki…I do love this song…and counting has help that first verse be more true in my life…yes…to live completely yielded to His Love…not holding anything back…He is faithful to meet us…and change us so we can live a life more given to HIm…thanks and blessing to you my friend~
counting has helped me, too, Ro. Mostly, it’s helped me to see clearly. Watch Him move through my everyday. which makes it so much easier to lay my life down as a result.
Thanks for stopping by, friend!
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