Inspired by the old hymn “Take My Life and Let It Be Consecrated Lord to Thee” by Frances R. Havergal (1836 – 1879), the composer of this week’s anthem, Jean Anne Shafferman, has updated the lyrics to express the active way we can give ourselves to the Lord.
Comparing the old hymn to the newer anthem, we notice that the hymn is longer with 6 verses (!) that comprehensively list all things (my life, my moments and my days, hands, feet, voice, lips, silver, gold, intellect, will, heart, love) that we want the Lord to take. The shorter, more compact anthem keeps the word “take,” but adds the significant words “I give” (I give my life . . . I give my all forevermore . . I give my moments and my days.) The difference is subtle -- the hymn sounds more passive “take my,” and the anthem adds the active voice “I give,” which elevates the anthem’s message to a higher level.
So, although the hymn and the anthem are both beautiful expressions of love and devotion to God, our challenge is to not just passively sing the song or passively listen to the pretty music on Sunday, then passively leave our devotion to God at the church door as we leave the building! But rather, we can take the anthem’s active voice AND choice, and give our lives in service to God by actively seeking out and doing specific acts of helping and showing God’s love to people not only on Sundays, but all week long and all life long.
by Becky Solomon for October 18, 2026