Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Rather Have Jesus

I'd Rather Have Jesus
Composer Rhea F. Miller

I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold,
I'd rather be His than have riches untold;
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands,
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway;
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause;
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom,
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb;
He's all that my hungering spirit needs,
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead.



A rare moment that both are holding still
and reading together



My big kitchen helper :)
Our music team at church has selected some really great music recently, and this old hymn was one they threw in the mix this past week.  My wiggly 3-year-old was on my lap, and he eventually snuggled in with his head tucked into my neck.  I am addicted to his curly head, and cuddles with him are rare, so I was certainly enjoying the moment.  When we got to the part of the refrain “I'd rather have Jesus than anything this world affords today” I became rather convicted. 

Would I really rather have Jesus instead of this precious child?  Would I trade his young life for Christ?  Would I count the sacrifice worth it if I had to choose between the two? 

I think of Abraham in Genesis 22.  Abraham was called to sacrifice his only son in obedience to God. He obeyed, and God was gracious and spared the boy’s life.  However, Abraham was so committed to obedience that he had his son tied on the alter and a knife raised to kill him. 

Mama-daughter
Um, no thank you.  I'm glad I’m not Abraham.  However, is my heart as committed to Christ as Abraham’s?  Am I that committed to obedience, that I would trade my child for knowing Christ?  In all honesty I can’t really say for sure.  I hope so.  I guess it’s good to question and ponder, and to weigh the true value of my relationship with my Savior. 


“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” (Philippians 3:8).