HYMN FOR PENTECOST 13
- Gracia Grindal
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
HYMN FOR PENTECOST 13 Come, my Fond Flutt’ring Heart
Text: Jane Taylor (1783-1824) Tune: John Ireland (1879-1962)
1. Come, my fond flutt'ring heart;
Come, struggle to be free;
You and the world must part,
However hard it be.
My trembling spirit owns it just
But still lies cleaving to the dust.
2. O tempting sweets, forbear;
O dearest idols, fall;
My love you must not share;
Jesus shall have it all.
Though painful and acute the smart,
His love can heal the bleeding heart.
3. O fair, enchanting throng!
O golden dreams, adieu!
Earth has prevailed too long;
Too long I've cherished you;
Aid me, dear Savior, set me free;
My all I will resign to thee.
4. Oh, may I feel your worth
And let no idol dare,
No vanity of Earth
With you, my Lord, compare;
Now bid all earthly joys depart,
And reign unrivaled in my heart.
REFLECTION
I am fairly confident there is not one hymn that has the language of Jesus from this Sunday’s text in it. It would be difficult to write one saying that those who do not hate their families cannot serve him. I can’t make Jesus not say hate. This is a hard saying for most of us to hear. And many a preacher will be trying to soften Jesus' words so that the congregation will not be troubled by them. I can’t even say it is a hyperbole. Ask missionary kids who experienced their parents leaving them to go out into the bush for months at a time. It must have felt like hate when their parents left them. Some cannot get over their bitterness about that. Others have even continued in the work for love of the Lord. Praise God for that!
It might be possible to soften it a bit by pointing to Scripture, to a truth we know all the way from Isaac until now: God demands we love him first, not just for our own good, but for the family members we can easily destroy by idolizing them. The point is, as John Calvin is reputed to have said, the human heart is a factory of idols. These idols we make with our own hands or imaginations really do become our gods and dominate us. We will give up everything for some idol we have and cannot break. Even our love for what is very good, but not God, can ruin us.
It isn’t just for our own freedom and good, but for the kingdom Jesus says this. We are called to tell others about him, and in doing so bring them eternal life and their freedom to serve him and others. We cannot do this effectively if we serve another master. It is really quite simple.
The hymn by June Taylor, somewhat lost to the hymnals of today, makes this case very clearly: “You and the world must part, However hard it be.”
The funny thing about it is that when one’s priorities are straightened out, then one can live well with friends and family. For one, your love for Jesus puts you in right relationship to him and them. And then again, sometimes it tears a family apart. “Oh, may I feel your worth And let no idol dare, No vanity of Earth With you, my Lord, compare; Now bid all earthly joys depart, And reign unrivaled in my heart.”
HYMN INFO
Jane Taylor was born in London. She and her sister wrote poetry from their youth until their deaths. This hymn is probably the most popular of all the hymns she wrote. Her first poetry was published when she was only 21, in 1804. Her Memoir and Poetical Remains, were published posthumously by her father. Most of her works, along with that of her sister, Ann Taylor Gilbert, were for children, such as Hymns for Infant Minds, 1809. Ann Gilbert continued publishing their works long after Jane died. The tune "Love Unknown" by John Ireland is much loved and used for the hymn text, "My Song is Love Unknown." Below are settings of that lovely text, but our hymn fits it nicely as well.
LINKS
King’s College Choir, Cambridge
Chet Valley Churches
Sylvia Burnside, Soloist
Mt hymn on the lesson in which I avoid the word hate, but I hope get at the message!
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NB:
For those planning for Bible study through the next year, you might consider the book Jesus the Harmony. It has a poem for every day of the year and Bible references on each poem that put Jesus in what has been called "the red thread of salvation." Many have been using it for daily devotions; others in group Bible studies.
Click here to check it out. https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Harmony-Gospel-Sonnets-Days-ebook/dp/B08L9S4Z1T/ref=sr_1_3_nodl?dchild=1&keywords=Grindal&qid=16145