Jesus, I my cross have taken

Jesus, I my cross have taken,
all to leave and follow you:
Son of man, despised, forsaken,
Lord of all I am or do.
Perish every fond ambition,
all I’ve sought and hoped and known;
yet how rich is my condition!
God and heaven are still my own.

2. Let the world despise and leave me,
they have left my Saviour too;
human hearts and looks deceive me;
you are not, like them, untrue:
and, while you shall smile upon me,
God of wisdom, love and might,
foes may hate, and friends may shun me;
show your face, and all is bright.

3. Those who trouble and distress me
drive me to your presence blessed;
life with bitter trials may press me,
heaven will bring me sweeter rest.
How could grief or sorrow harm me,
while my heart still feels your love?
How could this world’s pleasures charm me,
when you are my joy above?

4. Take, my soul, his full salvation:
conquer every sin and care,
find in every situation
joy and peace and service there.
Think what Spirit dwells within you,
what a Father loves you yet,
what a Saviour died to win you:
child of heaven, why should you fret?

5. Onward, then, from grace to glory,
armed by faith and spurred by prayer;
heaven’s eternal day’s before me;
God’s own hand shall guide me there.
Soon shall close my earthly mission,
swiftly pass my pilgrim days,
hope soon change to glad fruition,
faith to sight, and prayer to praise.