I love hymns. I can talk for hours about why I love the stories and doctrine behind the words written. There is great new music out there and I have my share of listening, but there is something about the seasoned words in hymns that I always want to keep near.
Some people are shocked that hymns are my go-to worship music because I am in my 20‘s and a musician. Some identify hymns with old books and stale religion. People have made it so, not the words.
This love for hymns came about because my mother was a hymnal nerd. Growing up riding in the car with my mom, we either listened to amazing 60’s and 70’s music or hymns. We even had a book with all the back stories of why the hymns were written.
I brought one book (other than my Bible) with me on the race. I wanted a book that I could study for the year and would be my prayer through the Race. But I couldn’t decide.
Right before Christmas, my mom and I went to the bookstore to grab books for my family’s Christmas stockings. We both are book nerds when it comes to authors like A. W.Tozer (If you do not know who this man is, then YOU NEED TO). I found a book I haven’t read yet by him called ‘The Crucified Life.’ When I grabbed it, my mom came over, took it from my hands, and bought it for herself. She didn’t want to wait until Christmas to begin reading.
After she finished the book around Christmas, she gave it to me to read before I would leave. After the introduction, I knew it was the book I needed to bring on my trip as a challenge to walk out Galations 2:20 and all that it holds. To put it shortly, this book has transformed me. It is a difficult message. The words challenge my motives and actions. It was not a fun book to read, and definitely not a holiday book on the beach, but it was what I needed to prepare and propel my heart for what this year holds.
One thing I love what Tozer in this book is he finishes every chapter with a hymn. He says, “The Christian hymnal is one of the great depositories of the Christian life and experience. The men and women behind these hymns were writing out of deep spiritual experiences. The hymnal connects us with our Christian heritage.”
Hymnal writers put theology in their words. And I love it because it’s used with the power of music! Put theology to a tune and you can be singing truth all day long. And these Christian forefathers didn’t write these words because it sounded pretty, but rather out of declaring what is true in the midst of trouble. Read any story as to why a hymn was written and you will find trials, pain, loneliness, and heartache– all things we all identify with through every generation. But in the midst of being broken, they choose to sing words of adoration and praise to God and leave the songs to teach us. These words are tried and true and point us to recognize and proclaim the character and wonderment of God.
This is my hymn for today.
Not I, But Christ
Frances E. Bolton (d.1926)
Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted;
Not I, but Christ, be seen be known, be heard;
Not I, but Christ, in every look and action,
Not I, but Christ, in every thought and word.
Not I, but Christ, to gently soothe in sorrow,
Not I, but Christ, to wipe the falling tear;
Not I, but Christ, to lift the weary burden,
Not I, but Christ, to hush away all fear.
Christ, only Christ! no idle words e’er falling,
Christ, only Christ; no needless bustling sound;
Christ, only Christ; no self important bearing;
Christ, only Christ; no trace of “I” be found.
Not I, but Christ, my every need supplying,
Not I, but Christ, my strength and health to be;
Not I, but Christ, for body, soul, and spirit,
Christ, only Christ, here and eternally.
CHrist, only Christ ere long will fill my vision;
Glory excelling so, full soon I’ll see
Christ, only Christ my every wish fulfilling
Christ, only Christ my all and all to be.
Easy to sing; difficult to live.
