Oh! to be like Thee, blessed Redeemer, This is my constant longing and prayer; Gladly I’ll forfeit all of earth’s treasures, Jesus, Thy perfect likeness to wear.1
That is the first verse of one of my favorite songs, ever. You may recognize it. If not, get to know it (more on that later).
O To Be Like Thee was written by a once school teacher, then editor of a weekly newspaper, then pastor, then insurance salesman by the name of Thomas O. Chisholm. His is a life of more than a few twists and turns. Born in rural Kentucky, he became a school teacher at the ripe old age of 16. Fast forward a few years, he became a Christian at the age of 26 at a revival. It is then he began pursuing Jesus with great fervor and was ordained in 1903, became a local pastor and, then, began to experience serious health issues. This led him to leave the pastorate and settle on a farm in rural Indiana with his family. By 1909, he was selling insurance, which he did until his retirement in the 1950s.2
His life, like many of ours, was twisted around some very trying circumstances and challenges that meant changes in vocation and location. One thing did not change, however. He was in a constant pursuit of Jesus. His longing for Jesus is recorded in the more than 1200 poems that he wrote over the years, 800 of which were published…many of them set to music. Probably his most well-known hymn is Great Is Thy Faithfulness.
Through it all, Mr. Chisholm pursued Jesus. Life’s circumstances and challenges never interrupted that. He understood, as we must, that God has a plan for us. He has destined us for something great, to be conformed to the likeness of His Son.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30 (NRSV)
Happy Wednesday! I’ll leave you with the rest of the prayer that became a theme of Thomas O. Chisholm’s life. May we make it ours, today.
Refrain: Oh! to be like Thee, oh! to be like Thee, Blessed Redeemer, pure as Thou art; Come in Thy sweetness, come in Thy fullness; Stamp Thine own image deep on my heart. Oh! to be like Thee, full of compassion, Loving, forgiving, tender and kind, Helping the helpless, cheering the fainting, Seeking the wand’ring sinner to find. Oh! to be like Thee, lowly in spirit, Holy and harmless, patient and brave; Meekly enduring cruel reproaches, Willing to suffer, others to save. Oh! to be like Thee, Lord, I am coming, Now to receive th’ anointing divine; All that I am and have I am bringing, Lord, from this moment all shall be Thine. Oh! to be like Thee, while I am pleading, Pour out Thy Spirit, fill with Thy love, Make me a temple meet for Thy dwelling, Fit me for life and Heaven above.