Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken

This hymn is rarely sung (at least in my experience). It's one of the many gems hidden in the pages of hymnbooks. It stands opposed to the leisurely, comfortable faith running rampant through much of Western Christianity (and I throw myself into this mix). It acknowledges the truth about the cost in following Christ along with the inexpressible joy found in Him. It challenges the way I like to view struggles and hardships.

Do I expect them or simply get angry when they arise?

Do I allow them to draw me closer to my Savior or use them as an excuse to run away?

Can I see how God is using them to teach me and destroy my inner man?

Am I willing to faithfully labor through this life knowing what awaits me in the end?

Is Christ more valuable to me than all the comfort, ease, and pleasures of this world?

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
All to leave and follow Thee.
Destitute, despised, forsaken,
Thou from hence my all shall be
Perish every fond ambition,
All I’ve sought or hoped or known.
Yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

Let the world despise and leave me,
They have left my Savior, too.
Human hearts and looks deceive me;
Thou art not, like them, untrue.
O while Thou dost smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love, and might,
Foes may hate and friends disown me,
Show Thy face and all is bright.

Man may trouble and distress me,
’Twill but drive me to Thy breast.
Life with trials hard may press me;
Heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
Oh, ’tis not in grief to harm me
While Thy love is left to me;
Oh, ’twere not in joy to charm me,
Were that joy unmixed with Thee.

Go, then, earthly fame and treasure,
Come disaster, scorn and pain
In Thy service, pain is pleasure,
With Thy favor, loss is gain
I have called Thee Abba Father,
I have stayed my heart on Thee
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.

Soul, then know thy full salvation
Rise o’er sin and fear and care
Joy to find in every station,
Something still to do or bear.
Think what Spirit dwells within thee,
Think what Father’s smiles are thine,
Think that Jesus died to win thee,
Child of heaven, canst thou repine.

Haste thee on from grace to glory,
Armed by faith, and winged by prayer.
Heaven’s eternal days before thee,
God’s own hand shall guide us there.
Soon shall close thy earthly mission,
Soon shall pass thy pilgrim days,
Hope shall change to glad fruition,
Faith to sight, and prayer to praise.