Only One Life

I came across this poem today. I'd never heard the whole thing but the highly quoted "Only one life twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." Quite a convicting sentiment and challenge for the days I'm tempted to waste. 

Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past

Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past, 
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.

When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Oh let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, “twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. 

Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say,”Thy will be done”;
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all”;
Only one life,’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ” 


— extra stanza — 

Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee.” 

~C.T Studd

Kiddie Songs and Sovereignty

I recently heard a comment that a person disliked missing weekly chapel services at the Christian school they served in. This person was encouraged to attend the elementary service at a different time and get a blessing that way. This chapel-missing individual replied with a mild smirk that the elementary song styles were not to their liking or that it was not at their level.

I heard this interchange and thought on how I had to disagree with this idea that "kiddie" songs are not for adults. At ICS we get to start the week with chapel which was an adjustment from eight years of teaching at a school with chapel on Wednesdays normally. I have found that it's a great way to start the week. Already this year, I've been blessed with the songs we've sung. As a Christian, we're told to come to Christ as children. Children might sing the most basic of things, but what they know is so. God is God. He sent His Son. He is worthy of our praise.

At the end of the year, the elementary at ICS has VBS for the last week of school. It's a fun week transitioning teachers and students from school mindset to summer vacation. It's also a great time of building into students those spiritual concepts taught all year long.

This past year we ended by using the Everest VBS program. The songs in this program majestically declared the invincibility of our Great God. The classic hymn "I sing the mighty power of God" was given a jazzier adaptation but kept the familiar tune for those who grew up singing it in church.

The theme song declares triumphantly that God stands invincible. There are so many times that I forget that truth. This "kid" song ministers to my heart as a child of God. It easily gets stuck in your head, but it's a wonderful reminder of who He is. My dad always says not to think about the H-O-W of things but to focus on the W-H-O is in sovereign control. 

The Supreme Court decision of this past summer has caused a lot of people to think that God has stepped back and is letting the world come to the end of its rope. God still is in the business of dealing with sin. He is very aware of what is going on in this world. Psalm 121 says that He doesn't sleep or rest; He is our source of strength and help. Why are we as believers running around like chickens with their heads cut off thinking "Oh, woe is me! Nine frail human judges have made a decision that changes the whole game!"
God is still God.
He is omnipotent.
The earth is the Lord's and the complete fullness of it and it's existence-says Psalm 24.
We are called to be salt and light. That means we are called to be worth something and about something more than the temporal things of this life. That something is not the flipping out about whatever just happened on the news which has become your main topic of conversation with believers and nonbelievers.
We are to be kingdom minded hearers and doers of the word in this world. We're to be ready to give an answer for the hope we have. The world doesn't have a hope. We do!

Steven Curtis Chapman has a song that sums up what keeps coming to mind about all these would-be gods making their "life-altering" decisions about whatever is the trend of the day. In his song, "God is God", he succinctly says "God is God and I am not. I can only see a part of the picture He's painting".

Paul said in Romans 11:33-36 "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?  For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."

This from a man who suffered countless trials for the sake of Christ, a man who rejoiced that He was in prison for the sake of the gospel.  God has all things completely in His grip. The use of all those prepositions in the end of chapter 11 highlights God's sovereign reign over all things. How can we not look at the world today and think the same as Paul? God is sovereign. Nothing will change that fact.