Busola Akinrolabu
Life is beautiful and one of the things that makes life beautiful is serving and living for others, and making their days a little brighter. Being a servant means having a heart that loves to help, like being a friendly neighbour or a caring friend.
Having a servant’s heart is like having a heart that enjoys making others happy. It’s about doing simple things, like sharing or helping when someone needs it.
Living a life as a servant is like having a heart that cares about others more than just yourself. It’s a beautiful way of living—filled with kindness and making the world a warmer place.
The hymns we’ll explore in this post are like songs that tell stories about having a heart that loves to help. They talk about living a life full of service, where every small act of kindness is like a note in a lovely tune.
Melodious Hymns About Being a Servant
1. Make Me a Servant by Kelly Willard
In the gentle cadence of “Make Me a Servant,” Kelly Willard’s timeless plea becomes a melody of surrender. The hymn encapsulates the essence of servanthood, urging us to embody the selfless spirit that defines true service. It’s a musical prayer, resonating with the longing to emulate the ultimate Servant, Jesus Christ, and to humbly serve others.
2. Here I Am, Lord by Dan Schutte
As Dan Schutte’s composition beckons, “Here I Am, Lord” is a hymn of readiness—a declaration to answer the call to service. It beautifully encapsulates the willingness to be a vessel, ready to go wherever needed. The hymn becomes a poignant reminder that our journey as servants begins with a simple, heartfelt response to the divine call.
3. Servant Song by Richard Gillard
Richard Gillard’s “Servant Song” is a musical narrative of the servant’s heart, celebrating the beauty of serving with love. The lyrics paint a picture of service not as a duty but as a joyous expression of love and kindness. It’s an anthem for those aspiring to serve not out of obligation but from a wellspring of genuine, compassionate love.
4. I Will Rise and Follow (Traditional)
In the simplicity of this traditional hymn, “I Will Rise and Follow” becomes a melodic commitment to the path of service. It captures the essence of discipleship—a journey of rising above self-interest and following in the footsteps of the ultimate Servant, Jesus.
5. Take My Life, and Let It Be by Frances R. Havergal
Frances R. Havergal’s timeless hymn, “Take My Life, and Let It Be,” unfolds as a solemn dedication of every aspect of life to divine service. From hands and voice to moments and days, the hymn becomes a heartfelt plea to be consecrated vessels, instruments moulded for the higher purpose of serving others with love and grace.
6. Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace by Sebastian Temple
“Lord, Make Us Instruments of Your Peace” by Sebastian Temple echoes the sentiments of the famous prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. It’s a hymn that implores not just for personal peace but to be channels of peace for others.
In embracing servanthood, the hymn becomes a rallying cry for those who seek to sow love, pardon, and joy in a world that often yearns for these transformative virtues.
7. I Surrender All by j.w. Van Deventer
J.W. Van Deventer’s classic hymn, “I Surrender All,” stands as a powerful anthem of complete surrender—a surrender that encompasses every facet of our being.
As we sing these words, we are reminded that true servanthood begins with laying down our desires, ambitions, and concerns at the feet of the Divine, inviting the spirit of servitude to reign in our hearts.
8. Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord by Bob Hudson
Bob Hudson’s “Humble Thyself in the Sight of the Lord” encapsulates the essence of servanthood—humble submission to a higher calling.
The hymn gently reminds us that true service begins with humility, recognizing our place in the grand design of the Creator. It’s an invitation to lower ourselves in service, finding fulfilment in lifting others.
9. Lead Me, Lord by Samuel Sebastian Wesley
“Lead Me, Lord” by Samuel Sebastian Wesley unfolds as a prayerful hymn seeking divine guidance. In the context of servanthood, it becomes a heartfelt plea for direction in our service endeavours.
The hymn acknowledges the need for divine guidance, emphasizing that effective and meaningful service requires being led by a higher purpose.
10. I’m Yours, Lord by Claire Cloninger and Gary Oliver
“I’m Yours, Lord” by Claire Cloninger and Gary Oliver becomes a declaration of ownership—an acknowledgement that our lives belong to a higher purpose. The hymn encapsulates the essence of being a servant, expressing a readiness to be used for the greater good.
11. O Master, Let Me Walk With Thee by Washington Gladden
“O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee” by Washington Gladden invites us into the journey of companionship with the Divine. In the realm of servanthood, it becomes a melody of partnership—a plea to walk hand in hand with the Master, learning the art of service through a close and intimate connection.
12. Whiter Than Snow by James Nicholson
“Whiter Than Snow” by James Nicholson, though traditionally a hymn about cleansing, finds resonance in the servant’s journey. It becomes a melody of transformation—a plea to be purified and made fit for service.
The hymn reminds us that true servanthood requires an inner purification, a continual process of being made whiter than snow to reflect the purity of the Servant we follow.
13. Living for Jesus by Thomas O. Chisholm
Thomas O. Chisholm’s hymn “Living for Jesus” becomes a dynamic anthem of purposeful living in the context of servanthood. It’s a call to action, challenging us to align our lives with the principles of Jesus—the ultimate Servant.
The hymn encourages us to live not for ourselves but for the well-being and service of others, echoing the selfless spirit of true servanthood.
14. More Love to Thee, O Christ by Elizabeth Prentiss
In the melody of “More Love to Thee, O Christ,” Elizabeth Prentiss crafts a hymn that transcends personal devotion and resonates with the spirit of servanthood. It becomes a prayer for an overflowing love—a love that extends beyond self and embraces the broader scope of serving others.
15. Have Thine Own Way, Lord by Adelaide A. Pollard
Adelaide A. Pollard’s “Have Thine Own Way, Lord” stands as a hymn of yieldedness—a surrender of our will to the divine plan. In the realm of servanthood, it becomes an anthem for those who desire to be moulded by the hands of the Creator.
The hymn recognizes that true service requires being pliable, allowing the Divine Potter to shape us into vessels fit for the noble task of serving others.
16. Take Time to Be Holy by William D. Longstaff
“Take Time to Be Holy” by William D. Longstaff becomes a hymn that underscores the importance of personal holiness in the journey of servanthood. It’s a gentle reminder that true service is birthed from a life that seeks holiness—a life dedicated to cultivating a character that mirrors the divine.
17. O to Be Like Thee by Thomas O. Chisholm
Thomas O. Chisholm, in “O to Be Like Thee,” crafts a hymn that reflects the aspirational aspect of servanthood. It becomes a song of longing—a desire to mirror the character of the ultimate Servant, Jesus Christ.
The hymn invites us to embrace the transformative journey of becoming more like the One we serve, embodying the virtues of love, compassion, and humility.
18. Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken by Henry F. Lyte
Henry F. Lyte’s hymn, “Jesus, I My Cross Have Taken,” unfolds as a profound declaration of commitment to the journey of servanthood. It becomes a hymn of resolve—a pledge to bear the cross of service with unwavering faith and dedication.
The hymn inspires us to embrace the challenges that come with being a servant, trusting that in our commitment, we find the true essence of life’s purpose.
Closing Remarks
In this ongoing symphony of service, your role as a servant is indispensable. As you navigate the notes of each day, let the hymns linger in your heart, prompting you to rise, follow, surrender, and love with a depth that echoes the ultimate Servant, Jesus Christ.
The journey of being a servant is not a destination but a continual exploration, a melody that evolves with each intentional act of kindness, each moment of humble surrender, and each step taken in the footsteps of the Divine.
May your life be a resounding hymn of servanthood, echoing through the corridors of time, inspiring others to join in the transformative melody of love, grace, and selfless devotion.
