Have Thine Own Way, Lord

Adelaide Pollard was a lifelong Believer who served God in many ways. Then, in 1907, when she was 45, she felt called to missionary work in Africa. But, in spite of her prayers and efforts, she was unable to raise the necessary support.

Frustrated, she attended a prayer meeting where she heard an elderly woman pray, “It doesn’t matter what You bring into our lives, just have Your own way with us.” Suddenly, Adelaide had peace.

Returning home, she studied Isaiah and realized anew that God was the potter of her life and she was the clay. And as she studied Jeremiah 18, she was reminded how the potter shaped the clay “as seemed best to him.” She realized that she didn’t need to be worried but could trust God with her life.

She then wrote a poem that summarized these insights. “Have Thine own way, Lord,” she wrote. She knew that he was the potter while she was “the clay.” She declared her intention to cooperate: “Mold me and make me after Thy will, while I am waiting, yielded and still.”

Adelaide asked God to search and try her, to wash her that she might be “whiter than snow.” Humbly bowing before Him, she confessed her weakness: “Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!” She cried out, “Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.”

She surrendered her life fully to God: “Hold o’er my being absolute sway! Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see Christ only, always, living in me.”

Today, no matter what you are going through, remember that God is the potter. He is shaping your life. Surrender your life to Him. And allow Him to guide and lead you.