I Give Myself Away

In 2009, gospel music artist William McDowell released a song entitled “I Give Myself Away.” Even though the song was introduced in 2009, adults, young adults, teens, and children continue to have an affinity for a song that remains a Christian favorite. “I Give Myself Away” is sung nationwide on Sunday mornings and other occasions during worship services. I have the song in my Apple Music file, and I listen to it periodically. One day, I took a moment to peruse the lyrics. As I reviewed the lyrics, I noticed several aspects of the words to the song that are biblically based and relevant to our theme for December.

McDowell conveyed the words of the apostle Peter when he wrote, “I give myself away so You can use me.” In Mark 10:31, speaking on behalf of his fellow disciples, Peter said to Jesus, “Behold, we have left everything to follow you” (Mk. 10:28, NASB). Peter and the other apostles had left their careers and families (not responsibilities to their families) to give themselves in ministry and service unto the Lord Jesus Christ. To follow Jesus wholeheartedly and be used by the Lord during His earthly ministry cost the disciples. In giving themselves to the Lord and His divine purpose for their lives, they had to go all the way. Oswald Chambers said, “[We] cannot stop short of total surrender.” If we stop short of complete submission, we will never know the real joy of being used by the Lord.

McDowell also projected the psalmist’s words when he wrote, “Lord, my life is in your hands.” In Psalm 31:15, the psalmist wrote, “My life is in your hands” (CEV). When David needed deliverance from his enemies, he acknowledged the Lord’s complete control over his life. When we arrive at the juncture where we can recognize and acknowledge the Lord’s sovereignty over our lives, there is no person, place, or problem we will fear. Our assurance is that the Lord will ultimately move our lives in the direction of divine purpose that will give Him glory. The key is to place our lives in His hands.

I have shared the following story several times and feel compelled to share it again. While working in the office at the church, I experienced serious computer issues. I called the company that developed the program and the source of the problem. The technician requested that I log into a site allowing him to take over my computer. I followed his instructions, but he never took over my computer. No sooner than I had pondered this thought, the technician said, “Mr. Crenshaw is your hand still on the mouse?” Immediately, I knew he could never take over my computer as long as my hand was on the mouse. Until we take our hands off our lives, the Lord cannot use us as He desires. 

McDowell echoed the sentiments of the apostle Paul when he wrote, “Take my heart, take my life as a living sacrifice.” In Romans 12:1, Paul wrote, “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship” (NASB). In the Old Testament, animals were killed, cut into pieces, and placed on the altar as a sacrifice to God. Today, God does not want us to offer animals. He wants us to offer ourselves as a living sacrifice for holy use. God is not seeking half-hearted commitments. He expects a decisive decision regarding one’s giving of self to the Lord God. He also anticipates that we will overcome the human tendency to get something from God rather than offer all that we are to God.     

McDowell resonated with Paul’s teaching when he wrote, “My life is not my own, to you I belong.” In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, Paul wrote, “Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore, glorify God in your body” (NASB). A favorite statement of many is, “It’s my life. So, I’ll do whatever I want with my life.” Those purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ recognize His rightful ownership. When we know that God has ultimate rights to our lives, we will never have a problem giving ourselves to work and service that will bring glory to the name of the Lord God.

Remember: During the Christmas season of giving and receiving, give yourself to God and Christian service from the knowledge that you belong to God for His divine will to work in your life (Phil. 2:13).