A year’s end finds many of us making decisions and lists — things like gift lists, guest lists, shopping lists, places & dates & times & menus lists. Finally, toward the end of it all, we wrap up by working on a list of fresh resolutions in pursuit of a better year to come. And — why not? Good decisions can lead to good actions and good results. “More About Jesus” is a good song to inspire the best lists, decisions and actions. It is a good song to help people make good resolutions. Give it a sing-along listen, then come back and we’ll take a closer look at this song’s encouragement to live a life “more about Jesus”.
Asking for personal growth
Our song gets us asking the Lord for increase in our personal capacity to …
— know more
— show more
— see more
— love more
— learn more
— discern more
— be taught more
— commune more
— hear more
— own more
— hope more
It delights the Lord when we ask for improved skill and ability to think and do according to His will. Our song helps us think about such things.
More … of what?
In our song, what kind of “thinking and doing” are we asking for more of? Let’s take a look at ideas suggested in the lyrics …
— know more — about Jesus
— show more — grace to others
— see more — of the Lord’s saving fullness
— love more — the One who died for us
— learn more — about Jesus
— discern more — the Lord’s holy will
— be taught more — by the spirit of the Lord
— commune more — with the Lord
— hear more — his voice in scripture
— own more — of the truth of the word of the Lord
— hope more — the increase of the Lord’s kingdom has been foretold and is sure — and the Prince of Peace will return in person and in triumph.
It’s all about wanting to live, move and have our being ever closer to the Lord.
Big things in a small package
I’m fascinated by the many ingenious ways folks have figured out how to put big things into small packages. I admire the large versatility built into those compact Swiss Army knives. I’m impressed with the way VW, Roadtrek, and other campers through the years have been able to get a living, dining, bath and bedroom into the space of a small van. This song — the way it packs so many big ideas and suggestions into such little time and space — impresses me in the same way.
I’ll close with a paragraph taken straight from the “Bulletin Blurb” offered at Hymnary.org:
“This hymn openly and shamelessly expresses a desire to be closer to God. Penned by a woman in a body cast, this hymn is a perfect example of how we should pursue faith. “More About Jesus” perfectly encapsulates the passion and effort of a Christian in love with God. In Philippians 3:10, Paul says, “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection.” Eliza Hewitt’s text expresses the same message of spiritual longing. Due to its open, passionate pursuit of Christ, “More About Jesus” has been incorporated into hundreds of different hymnals since it’s completion in 1887. It continues to uplift and inspire many Christians today.” (For more see https://hymnary.org/text/more_about_jesus_would_i_know_more_of )
Any time we find ourselves in a season of list making, it would do us good to remember this song’s encouragement to make our purposes, pleasures and plans more and more about Jesus.
God bless you lots
-Dale R.
LYRICS: More About Jesus
Text: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1887)
Tune: John R. Sweney (1887)
1 More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Chorus:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
2 More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
3 More about Jesus in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in ev’ry line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
4 More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of peace.
Let’s stay in touch
Each time I post a new song and lesson here I send a brief, cheerful note to friends of this song site. The note gives a quick description of the song and lesson along with a link to the new song’s page. It is super-easy for you to get a note from me, too. Just click the green “Song of the Week” button below and you are almost there.
To sweeten the deal, you will also get instant access to the “Music Box” where I put all the free resources and downloads that go along with these song pages. Check it out now! Good stuff. (Side note — I still post announcements on social media, too, even though I have learned it is terribly unreliable at getting the message out and keeping us connected. Email gets that job done where social media fails. We do well to connect this way, and avoid getting throttled by social media.)
Share your wisdom with other readers ...
Please feel free to add your thoughts to this conversation. Scroll to the bottom of the page and jot your note in the “comments” box just below the “Leave a reply” title. Easy!
I listened to this song and thought so simple and yet almost overwhelmingly packed. Then l read your comments so clear in thought; how deeply profound and inspiring. So for now my prayer is Lord give me the more that I can handle to grow more in you and see you more in me. Thank you dear friend.
Beth, Thanks much for your note and kind words. What an excellent “action statement” you wrote! I wish you all God’s best and huge answers to your prayer. Thank you, dear friend! God bless you lots — Dale R.
Beautiful Dale Keep up the good and best work in the songs of everlasting life.
Dennis, Thank you so much for you comment and kind words. I receive your encouragement, and look forward to being able to continue mining the old song archives for songs that bless and inspire — and learn them and share them. Maybe a few new songs that come my way will show up, too. Wishing you God’s BEST! — Dale R.