It takes a scant two minutes to sing. But this compact gospel song offers a blueprint for a long, full, successful life with the Lord — starting now and ending — never. What a powerhouse! Got a couple of minutes? Please enjoy the song, then come back. Together we’ll look at these plans and build something!
♫♪ Years I spent in vanity and pride ♫♪
Vanity can mean:
“excessive pride in — or admiration of — one’s own appearance or achievements.”
That’s pretty bad, but there’s another meaning that is devastating:
“the quality of being worthless or futile.”
OUCH! How can we fix vanity and pride? What can rescue us from living worthless, futile lives?
The song starts in the right place, which is: RECOGNIZE that living in Christ makes life meaningful, the opposite of being worthless or futile.
The more time we spend living in vanity and pride,
the more time we miss living with the kind of joy and success God intends for us.
Our song is NOT telling us we are, and must always be, hopeless, unforgivable sinners. Far from it. It is a call for each of us to reach out and embrace the salvation and wholeness Jesus Christ won for us — at Calvary. Then our song becomes:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
♫♪ By God’s Word at last my sin I learned ♫♪
Our dear singer says he learned of his sin. He didn’t admit to any “really good sins” like murder, robbery or sedition. The sin he claims is “less spectacular” — wasting life and time, living without God and without hope.
Both the “really good sins” and “less spectacular sins” all have something in common, which is, to live outside of God’s will.
Our dear singer gives us a remarkably valuable key:
GOD’S WORD was a lamp to his feet and a light to his path.
It was God’s Word that showed him HOW to make his life meaningful, joyful and successful.
God’s Word is light for our lives, too.
♫♪ Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan! ♫♪
“What is God’s plan for my life?”
A great way to learn God’s plan for our lives is to:
1) Read up on God’s plan for salvation and
2) See how we fit into God’s plan for salvation.
When we look at the world around us, we can feel overwhelmed with how much “salvation work” needs to be done.
There is indeed a HUGE amount of work to be done! But I have great news:
GOD IS HIRING!
Vanity and pride could never have drawn salvation’s plan. It took LOVE to draw salvation’s plan. Love draws people to salvation’s work and there are plenty of positions available.
The blueprint for a successful life
- Recognize we need God for our lives to be meaningful
- Accept His salvation through Jesus Christ
- Help bring salvation to people through whatever we do in life
That’s a plan that leads to a life of joy and success starting NOW and ending NEVER.
Wouldn’t you love to know a song that would help you remember all that?
God bless you lots!
-Dale R.
LYRICS: At Calvary
Words: William R. Newell (1895)
Music: Daniel B. Towner (1895)
1. Years I spent in vanity and pride,
Caring not my Lord was crucified,
Knowing not it was for me He died
On Calvary.
Refrain:
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty
At Calvary.
2. By God’s Word at last my sin I learned;
Then I trembled at His love I’d spurned,
Till my guilty soul imploring turned
To Calvary.
3. Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span
At Calvary.
What do you think?
Has salvation meant more to you as you’ve gotten older? Love to hear your thoughts on that or anything else you’d like to share. Please jot a note in the “Leave a reply” spot below.
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– Dale R.
What a great song about God’s salvation! I noticed that this song was written way back in 1895! It is amazing to think that people have been singing it for over a hundred years. Thanks for all the work you did in preparing and performing the singing and guitar music. The teaching is so wonderful in that you share that God, by His Grace has a plan for each of us to help in spreading the Good News. You are definitely doing your part in ministering via all these songs and teachings. Thank you!
I’m continually impressed by your ability to bring the whole package – the video, the musical skills, the brief yet poignant words to tie it all together, and the heart behind it all… So good! Thank you for faithfully posting and bringing a little more light into the world each week!
I too, like Dina, couldn’t help singing along and putting the appropriate echos in there. ?
This is going to get stuck in my head… I’m okay with that!
Lovings,
Sarah
Thanks much, Sarah! ?
Hi Dale,
Thanks so much for sending this. It is so cool to get to hear you sing and play. I really love your skillful guitar work. So cheerful and uplifting!!
Dan, Thanks much! It is such a joy to do the songs, all the more with the thought they are being enjoyed! God bless you lots – Dale ?
Thanks Dale. I sang along and shouted out “free” in all the right places, promise. Dina
Dina, That’s GREAT! You’re right, “FREE” needs to be there! Thanks for singing. God bless you lots! – Dale R ?