Why We Should Give Our Best

 When I was in elementary school, our Girl Scout meetings were always held at the Baptist church in our town.

Many times we arrived early or stayed late, because my mom and a couple of her friends were the Girl Scout leaders and they would meet to talk about upcoming activities or just stay and visit with each other for a while.

(These were the days before Facebook and texting when face-to-face visits were about the only way to talk as a group.)

When their visits started early or went long, I would slip off to a Sunday school  room with a piano and play songs from a church hymnal while I waited.

There was one song in particular that I loved playing.

I loved how my fingers moved across the keys.

I loved the melody.

But I especially loved the words even as a little girl.

As I was thinking about starting another week of work , this song came into my mind.

It’s called, “Give of Your Best to the Master,” and even though it was written in 1910 and some of the lyrics reveal its age,

I love its message.

I love being reminded that Jesus gave His best for me, so why shouldn’t I want to give my best for Him?

Whether I’m cleaning my house, helping at church, taking photographs, writing an article, or performing the duties of my job, I want to give at the same level God gave for me.

I often fall short, but I love mornings when a song like this pops into my mind and helps me start a new workweek with a sense of determination.

I hope the lyrics below speak to someone today.

They have spoken to me for nearly 40 years.

GIVE OF YOUR BEST TO THE MASTER

by

Howard B. Grose

Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Jesus has set the example,
Dauntless was He, young and brave;
Give Him your loyal devotion;
Give Him the best that you have.

Refrain:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Clad in salvation’s full armor,
Join in the battle for truth.

 Give of your best to the Master;
Give Him first place in your heart;
Give Him first place in your service;
Consecrate ev’ry part.
Give, and to you will be given;
God His beloved Son gave;
Gratefully seeking to serve Him,
Give Him the best that you have. [Refrain]

Give of your best to the Master;
Naught else is worthy His love;
He gave Himself for your ransom,
Gave up His glory above;
Laid down His life without murmur,
You from sin’s ruin to save;
Give Him your heart’s adoration;
Give Him the best that you have. [Refrain]

Coronation Hymns, 1910