A Charge to Keep I Have

I have taken lately to carrying around the text of one of my favourite hymns, A Charge to Keep I Have by the Anglican priest Charles Wesley. I have done this in mind primarily as a means of getting myself properly focused for work. I work at a hospital and while my main role there is an orderly I am always reminded by both patients and staff or the importance of allowing myself to be used by God in the hospital. Most of the staff know that I am studying theology with the view of being ordained as an Anglican priest and they always ask me questions about faith as well as comment on my behaviour, determining how ‘Christian’ it is. Thankfully most of the time it’s a positive response and I’ve even had an effect on those I work alongside with most now making sure that they don’t blaspheme. I have been excited by the conversations I have been able to have with many of my colleagues at work about God and His Church. One lady even  brought pictures of her confirmation.

I have also been able to minister to the patients. I work at a Roman Catholic hospital so many of the patients belong to a Christian denomination in some way allowing me to freely bring up religion always respectfully at course. Three things so far have stood out 1. Most of the Anglicans I meet aren’t practicing but were baptised in the Church of England 2. Had a great conversation with one lady about sacred music for about 20 minutes and 3. An interesting debate with an Atheist for about 15 minutes. All those things considered I have also been stuck afresh and continue to do so by patients’ experiences in hospital. Most are there for operations of a non-life threatening nature and leave after a few days but some; some don’t quite make it home. I have also met some who have been in there for months on end and have they have shared with me their pain and their suffering.

All this motivates me to be the best witness to Christ I can possibly be to both my co-workers and the patients. I ask God before every shift to open up doors for me, and for my co-workers in particular that I may be able to have Godly conversations with them. I have found the words of A Charge to Keep I Have particularly helpful in forming my prayers, my thinking and reminding me of the privilege and opportunity I have at the hospital. This has spilled across into my entire life. The text of the hymn now takes pride of place in my wallet, where the picture of my girlfriend should be and every time I open my wallet now I am reminded of the charge I owe to God and to my fellow man. I still have a very long way to go in surrendering myself before God and allowing Him to shape and use me according to His will but it is something I strive to do each and every day He gives me. I share it hoping that it may be of some use in your lives as much as it has been to mine. I will comment on the text in a later post.

        A charge to keep I have,

               A God to glorify,

               A never-dying soul to save,

               And fit it for the sky.

               To serve the present age,

               My calling to fulfill;

               O may it all my powers engage

               To do my Master's will!

               Arm me with jealous care,

               As in Thy sight to live,

               And oh, Thy servant, Lord,

               Prepare a strict account to give!

               Help me to watch and pray,

               And on Thyself rely,

               Assured, if I my trust betray,

               I shall forever die.

           

            Reverend Charles Wesley, 1707-1788

Peace and Blessings