Hymn

I have always loved hymns. I grew up singing them in church. They seem so holy and reverent and above everything else I tend to love the words. There is no exception for the song named “Hymn” on Brooke Fraser’s Albertine album. I can’t get enough of the words. If you know me very well, you know that music just has a way of getting under my skin, but when there are words this powerful, I get swept away. I think I’ve listened to the song at least ten times today. The words – especially the last verse speak so much of what I long for my desire to be and leave me realizing where I’m missing the mark. I long for my only ambition, goal and vision to be to dwell in Christ. But I’m so off base. I find my heart chasing after things that aren’t Christ. I find my heart dwelling in some of those places. I’ve been singing this one and asking God to make the words true of my life – whatever the cost.

If to distant lands I scatter
If I sail to farthest seas
Would you find and firm and gather
'til I only dwell in Thee?

If I flee from greenest pastures
Would you leave to look for me?
Forfeit glory to come after
'Til I only dwell in Thee

If my heart has one ambition
If my soul one goal to seek
This my solitary vision
'til I only dwell in Thee
That I only dwell in Thee
'Til I only dwell in Thee