Simple Gifts

Simple Gifts was written by Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. It was first published in The Gift to be Simple: Shaker Rituals and Songs. Simple Gifts was a work song sung by the United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing (more commonly called the Shakers, an offshoot of the Quakers).

'Tis the gift to be simple,
'tis the gift to be free,
'tis the gift to come down where you ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
It will be in the valley of love and delight.

SATISFIED
Author: Clara T. Williams, 1858-1937
Musician: Ralph E. Hudson, 1843-1901

All my life long I had panted
For a draught, from some clear spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.

Refrain:
Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings,
Thro' His blood I now am saved.

Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.

Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul's sad cry.

Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

My boss called me into his office yesterday. I told him a few weeks ago that I intended to leave my position to attend Seminary next fall and that some "irons were in the fire" with regard to other ministry related jobs I was pursuing. He has been a commercial lender all of his adult life, my boss, so he likes to call shots and control risk. He told me to give it a month - look into these other "irons" and consider whether this is a clear calling or a passing conviction.

Yesterday, though, he wanted to fast track. Word had reached him (for some strange reason the umpteen people I have told I am leaving the Bank were unable to keep their little mouths shut - can you believe? ) With the rumor mill churning about us, we reset the month to expire this friday. This friday my boss will tell his boss and then there would be no turning back. At this point lots of wheels are in motion which make it hard to turn back, but once the boss's boss knows it would be very hard to turn around.

The conversation went something like this: "In a solid, growing bank like we have there are very good possibilities for people like you. I have a healthy portfolio to leave to my successor and it is reasonable to assume that the person who manages this portfolio could go on to be very valuable to the bank. A six figure income is not out of the question - and that is without considering the senior management possibilities. Good Christians find themselves in jobs working for a living and still being ministers. They can also, in that circumstance, provide well for a growing family and secure a healthy nest egg for retirement. Think this over and we'll talk again Friday."

My boss, as is evident, is a really good Christian fellow. He means well. We are, after all, instructed to:

26"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sistersyes, even his own lifehe cannot be my disciple. 27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

28"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?

Luke 14:26-28 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

My boss means well and perhaps is taking a paternal role in his delays, but he is instructing me to do something all Christians are commanded to do. Being a Christian on this earth has its costs. And if being a Christian has its costs then I am sure a vocational minister has costs to count as well.

My life has been torn between being comfortable and treating myself to luxuries (queen size bed for one, Lincoln in the driveway, already bought and sold a house, etc.) but where does that get a person? They are things which are not evil of themselves, but I have a way with my compulsive personality to pervert things which are of themselves perfectly harmless. It is about time my life centered around my impact for God's Kingdom while on earth rather than making sure my stay here is comfortable and easy.

There are some people whose gifts make them best suited for particular vocations. To me, I will have been the best little Kindgom worker if I put myself to work doing that which no one else could ever do quite the same way I could. And I may be a perfectly suitable commercial banker, I may even excell at lending, but it is not going to employ my spiritual gifts.

People with burdens (and all Christians have them) need to count the cost, bear up under the load and walk.

I have been more than satisified with my relationship with the creator. I aim to help the Church find that satisfaction and the freedom Kingdom-living gives.

It IS a gift to "come down where we ought to be" but there is also a gift in the dissatisfaction that spurs you on to the next place God leads you.