Take Time in the New Year!

For some reason, this old hymn has dug its way into my thoughts....and I had to look up the rest of the verses, because I only could think of the first verse. There are lots of unknowns ahead for us....busy days, for sure. This hymn seems a fitting focus for the beginning of a new year!  The words are by William D. Longstaff, 1882 .  He was from Sunderland, England, and he was friends with Salvation Army founder William Booth, and evangelist Dwight Moody.

Take Time to Be Holy

1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
   Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
   Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
   Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
   Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
   By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
   Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
   And run not before Him, whatever betide.
   In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
   And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
   Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
   Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
   Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.

   
   

   Hebrews 12:2

   ...looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith...