Jenni and I attended a Friday Communion Service at The New Room today in Bristol, the oldest Methodist chapel in the world. These are the lyrics from the hymn we sang together.
Lyrics: “Jesus Calls Us”
Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
Of our life’s wild, restless sea;
Day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
Saying, “Christian, follow me!”
As of old the apostles heard it
By the Galilean lake,
Turned from home and toil and kindred,
Leaving all for Jesus’ sake.
Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the vain world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, “Christian, love me more!”
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
“Christian, love me more than these!”
Jesus calls us! By thy mercies,
Savior, may we hear thy call,
Give our hearts to thine obedience,
Serve and love thee best of all.
Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895)
May these words serve as a reminder and strengthen our resolve to daily follow and cherish our Lord above all else, regardless of the cost and the consequences.