SCRIPTURE TEXT: “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” -Jeremiah 33:3
Jesus calls us over the tumult of our life’s wild, restless, sea; Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow me! ”
As of old Saint Andrew heard it by the Galilean lake, Turned from home and toil and kindred, Leaving all for Jesus’ sake
Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies, Savior may we hear Thy call, Give our hearts to Thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all
Cecil Frances Alexander was an outstanding young woman by virtue of ability, education, and service. While still quite young, she and her sister operated a school for the deaf, and she also published a highly successful book of hymns for children—designating the profits for the benefits of the school. She married William Alexander, an Anglican clergyman who later became the Anglican Archbishop of Ireland. Impressed by her hymns, he asked her to write a hymn for use during a coming Sunday worship based on the call of Simon, Andrew, James, and John (Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 1: 16-18).
She wrote this hymn “Jesus Calls Us” for that occasion. She wrote 400 hymns during her lifetime—mostly children’s hymns— but “Jesus Calls Us” and “All Things Bright and Beautiful” are the best known.
The first verse of this hymn begins, “Jesus calls us over the tumult of our life’s wild, restless, sea”— acknowledging the call of those first disciples by the Sea of Galilea. A recurring theme is “Christian, love me more”— “Christian, love me more than these”—”serve and love thee best of all.”
Those words were inspired by John 21:15, where Jesus, after the resurrection, asked Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” The hymn therefore acknowledges Jesus’ claim, not only over the lives of those first four disciples, but over the lives of every Christian. From the beginning, God’s plan for our life has been to “rise up” just as Jesus did. If we are going to rise up and do anything for God, we have to take charge and control our lives.
God has already given us everything that He is going to give. He has given us His best to help us Rise Up. He has given us Jesus. God has done His part. Now we need to do our part. One way for us to do our part, is by going to a Church that teaches His word and fellowshipping with believers.
Prayer point: Ask God to let you hear His voice when He calls.
STAY BLESSED
SOURCE: INSPIRING STORIES BEHIND OUR BEST-LOVED HYMNS
