Encouragement Letters

Good morning Friend,

Many decades back, Kate Barclay Wilkinson wrote a poem that was set to music. It became a great hymn entitled MAY THE MIND OF CHRIST MY SAVIOR. Now it is sung all over the world. The words are from the Scriptures. The author knew the Word. She also had a deep desire to know Christ and then to make Him known to others

I learned it as a collegian when I became active in the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship in Chico, California. It was in their hymnal. I loved it. In fact I memorized it as a hymn and as a prayer.

Some weeks back, Evie and I made a visit to the home of some very dear friends, Paul and Joan. She was very ill with esophageal cancer. She was in the final days of her life. As soon as I got there, Paul handed me a hymnbook which was opened to this hymn. He then told me that it was Joan's favorite hymn. He asked me if I knew it . . . and would I sing it to his wife. The three of us and their two daughters went in to Joan's room. I knelt on the floor to get as close as possible to Joan. I sang all six stanzas. What a touching experience to sing Joan's favorite hymn and mine also. Later Paul asked if I would sing it at the memorial service. As I sang the hymn to myself I was overwhelmed with the words. They really revealed the character of Joan. They helped me see the real inner Joan. They helped me to know her better than before. They allowed me to see beyond the externals to the inner depth of a truly godly woman. Listen in to the words of the hymn.

Live in me from day to day.

By His love and power controlling

All I do and say.

In my heart from hour to hour,

So that all may see I triumph

Only through His pow'r.

Rule my life in everything.

That I may be calm to comfort

Sick and sorrowing.

As the waters fill the sea.

Him exalting, self abasing,

This is victory.

Strong and brave to face the foe,

Looking only unto Jesus

As I onward go.

As I seek the lost to win,

And may they forget the channel

Seeing only Him.

Great words . . . richly written by Kate Wilkinson . . . personified in the life of Joan . . . and worthy for you and me to embrace.

Rarely have I found a hymn that is so thoroughly biblical. In fact each stanza is based on at least one biblicall text . . . or two . . . or more. When you sing this hymn, you are singing biblical truth. And you are praying that your life might emulate the character and Christ-likeness of that specific stanza.

What about you? Perhaps this hymn can become one of your favorites. Even now, read it through again. Sing it. Live it.

Be encouraged,

Lareau Lindquist

Founder, Senior Associate