It might
not have been the first time he tried to abandon writing a song’s words, but its
unusual path might in fact be why Thomas Obediah Chisholm remembered how he
came to write “Living For Jesus” in 1917. The eventual product of Chisholm’s
efforts was perhaps more creditable to his collaborator’s belief in him as a
poet than were most of his other poems that were self-inspired. Its inception
took place soon after he and his family had moved to a new state, as Chisholm
continued a career in the insurance business. Was he thinking of another type
of insurance policy as he penned the words about living a life before God? Have
you ever pondered that God’s ‘Jesus’ insurance might be like fire – Get outta
hell – insurance, even though you don’t get a physical piece of paper (like
this fire insurance certificate shown here)?
The
genesis of “Living for Jesus” may have been one of the more inauspicious
episodes for a hymn, with an initial unsatisfactory effort, followed by a
fallow period, and then two further subsequent attempts to create lyrics to accompany
the tune. Three strikes might have made it an out, but the tune’s composer,
Harold Lowden, did not forget its existence and would not be deterred once he
contacted Thomas Chisholm to encourage the development of poetry he hoped would
match it. The 34-year old Lowden had written a song for a New Jersey church’s
Sunday morning children’s worship, but he was disappointed with the pairing of
words and music in it. He kept the tune in mind, however, at the urging of
several people, though it would not be until two years later that he thought of
resurrecting it. He optimistically contacted the 51-year old Chisholm to ask if
he could craft some appropriate words to go with the tune, and suggested the
theme matching the hymn’s eventual title. He must have felt something special
was possible, for when Chisholm promptly declined, evidently doubtful he could
work with an existing tune, Lowden insisted once more that he try. Two weeks
hence, the words for which Lowden had been waiting more than two years were
born. The hymn’s birth may also have resulted because of Chisholm’s planned
move to New Jersey, where Lowden lived, spurring the latter to suggest collaboration
that he hoped their closer physical proximity in the near future would stimulate
and grow further. Whether or not the two ever again collaborated on a song’s
components is not clear, although at least one other of Chisholm’s songs (“How
Much Greater Is His Love”) did appear in a hymnal Lowden co-published the same
year “Living for Jesus” was published. Isn’t it often the case that musical believers
who find each other continue to collaborate, in one way or another, to advance
His worship and work?
Once he
took on Lowden’s tune-lyrics project, what was it Thomas Chisholm decided to
say with his words? No doubt, the two men shared thoughts about the theme, so
what Chisholm wrote may also have resided within Lowden. What one, or both, of
them said resonates still today with us a century later who also believe. Glad
service and blessing (v.1), total devotion (v.2), sacrifice (v.3), and drawing
others into His light (v.4) are trademarks of Him. Is there any doubt, any lack
of assurance, that finding a Christian community with these characteristics
leads somewhere good? Thomas Chisholm must have sold many insurance policies in
Indiana and later in New Jersey, similarly confident that the buyers were
investing wisely. Insurance is a pretty good thing, isn’t it?
See more
information on the song story in these sources: The Complete Book of
Hymns – Inspiring Stories About 600 Hymns and Praise Songs by William J.
Petersen and Ardythe Petersen, Tyndale House Publishers, 2006; Amazing
Grace: 366 Inspiring Hymn Stories for Daily Devotions by Kenneth W. Osbeck,
Kregel Publications, 1990; and 101 Hymn Stories, by Kenneth W. Osbeck,
Kregel Publications, 1982.
Also see this link, showing all four original verses and the
composer’s story about the song: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/l/i/v/living4j.htm
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