Walking across a field on a bright sunny day I came upon an old church. St. Peter in Astley near Worcester.
I was in the area on a retreat at a Franciscan monastery. Between midday and evening prayers I had taken a stroll. It was typical even perfect British weather, some sun and the gentle threat of rain. I walked down a valley and through a small wood and up the other side. As I left a newly ploughed field to walk through the trees two ladies were sat on a log drinking tea from a flask. Clearly serious hikers.
My presence startled them and one joked, “Are you an escaped monk?” I couldn’t resist, “No I’m an escaped husband staying with the monks”. Humour with passing strangers can really put a smile on a day.
Inside the church I found the usual stuff, bells, pulpit, curtains, stained glass windows and the much needed collection plate. Alone I took the opportunity to sit and meditate. Thoughts of the depth or significance of our commitments came to mind. For me this thinking is primarily about how much of me God has. Some days not a lot!
As I returned from my meditation I spotted the name of a hymn writer commemorated in the church. Frances Ridley Havergal, born in the vicarage at St Peter. She wrote the familiar hymn, ‘Take my life, and let it be, Consecrated, Lord, to Thee. Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise…’
Thinking of those words gave me an instant connection with my current thinking and the place I was staying, a Franciscan Monastery. There the brothers have truly consecrated their lives to the Lord and whilst there I was studying and reading about my moments and my days in terms of living my own spiritual commitment.
It’s not difficult to think of what it might mean to give yourself in a life long commitment to a partner, wife or husband. Yet to consider a life utterly given to God by way of living each moment, each day in prayer and praise, that is serious. Amongst Religious Orders this is known as a Rule.
The word Frances Havergal used consecrated means to make sacred or set aside for holy use. When a person does this they are in effect saying I dedicate your soul, mind, heart, and body to God. In Frances’ hymn each verse starts with giving some part of her to God. I like that. She is saying in her writing that we don’t necessarily give every part of our lives at once, as in relationships we slowly open up over time. Thirty five years into our marriage and we think what else can I give? But we know there is more. You may know this for yourself.
Here is that wonderful hymn which reminds us that yes God might want all of us and we might want to give all but instalments is ok too! Maybe each line could form a daily prayer?
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.
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.
Rob Wykes 