Sharing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx2u5uUu3DE


This used to be my personal life anthem when I was much younger (not that I am that old now). Well, this song came by during the rebellious years of young age, trying to declare independence and to prove that I am in control of my life.
True enough, I worked hard, strive and struggled along the way...and managed to achieve something out of "my life". But meantime, you probably will not believe how many sleepless nights, sweat, tears, heartaches, etc. involved in the process of "did it my way". So much effort and struggle was put in place that I am not even sure if the "reward" pays off the "capital" I invested in all these years.
This - (I think) is the story for most of us, who are trying to achieve something in life and "live while I'm alive".

As the years went by, with many expected and unexpected experiences washed up my shore, it helps me to realised that there is only so much that we can do to achieve some scrap (or crap) in our lives. With much toil, sweat and tears, we can only achieve and "live" our lives to a certain (limited) extent. I was tired, no, exhausted to try harder in life. It's just too hard...

"Come to Me all who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I used to "use" God in favour of my needs, no, "wants" in life; now I am learning to just trust in Him in everything He gives. I used to ask from Him the blessings in life; now I am learning to ask for Him alone. It took me so long to realised that what I really need is non other but God Himself, I am not going to leave Him lightly in my life.

I realised that the real "life" that we lead is not in this limited world; the "did it my way" is really, a hard and toiling way which brings limited and temporary reward; the real "live while I'm alive" is to live in Christ and for Christ.

Hence, just want to share this hymn which rings in my head since early morning today:

Once it was the blessing,
Now it is the Lord;
Once it was the feeling,
Now it is His Word;
Once His gift I wanted,
Now, the Giver own;
Once I sought for healing,
Now Himself alone.

Chorus:
All in all forever,
Only Christ I'll sing;
Everything is in Christ,
And Christ is everything.

Once 'twas painful trying,
Now 'tis perfect trust;
Once a half salvation,
Now the uttermost;
Once 'twas ceaseless holding,
Now He holds me fast;
Once 'twas constant drifting,
Now my anchor's cast.

Once 'twas busy planning,
Now 'tis trustful prayer;
Once 'twas anxious caring,
Now He has the care;
Once 'twas what I wanted,
Now what Jesus says;
Once 'twas constant asking,
Now 'tis ceaseless praise.

Once it was my working,
His it hence shall be;
Once I tried to use Him,
Now He uses me;
Once the pow'r I wanted,
Now the Mighty One;
Once for self I labored,
Now for Him alone.

Once I hoped in Jesus,
Now I know He's mine;
Once my lamps were dying,
Now they brightly shine;
Once for death I waited,
Now His coming hail;
And my hopes are anchored
Safe within the veil.

Source: http://www.hymnal.net/hymn.php/nt/513#ixzz1NWTaDGOH