These lyrics provide the best reminder right from the jump. We are the created, not the Creator! It does us good to imagine ourselves as mere clumps of clay, being molded into whatever design and purpose God has for us. The tricky thing is, it’s hard to be still and let Him do this! In a world that fancies busy-ness and ambition, it might feel foreign to position yourself as “waiting, yielded and still.” But the lyrics of this hymn encourage us to do just that. Could you practice this for just five minutes a day? Sitting still, palms up to Heaven, senses tuned into the Holy Spirit?

Part of surrendering involves emptying ourselves of the sin that blocks and separates us from God. The second verse talks about just this:

Have thine own way, Lord! … Have thine own way! … Search me and try me … Savior today! … Wash me just now, Lord … wash me just now … as in thy presence … humbly I bow.

I love these lyrics as a prayer. Search me, try me, wash me. And did you notice the posture that’s necessary for this kind of cleansing? We must bow humbly in His presence. Taking this humble position and having our shortcomings exposed is a healthy practice that reminds us of our need for a Savior. It can also be painful, though! I remember exactly where I was driving on the highway once when the Holy Spirit convicted me of a sin. When I was finally in a humble enough heart posture to recognize my need for repentance, I was so grieved. I can still remember just crying in my car as I thought about how long I’d let this sin have power over me. Because of the pain sin brings, the third verse of “Have Thine Own Way” is especially beautiful. It says:

Have thine own way, Lord! … Have thine own way! … Wounded and weary … help me I pray! … Power, all power … surely is thine! … Touch me and heal me … Savior divine!

Sometimes I forget that I can ask for healing. It’s tempting—and honestly, easier—to just sit in our sin sometimes, right? Even after being confronted and convicted, self pity can feel consoling and even comforting. But our God doesn’t just show us our sins and then leave us there to rot away in shame and guilt. He offers healing! We can ask for His powerful, cleansing, healing touch, and He will meet us down in the pit, take us by the hand, and pull us back into His light. Praise the Lord!

The final verse of this special hymn is my favorite of all. It says: 

Have thine own way, Lord! … Have thine own way! … Hold o’er my being … absolute sway. … Fill with thy Spirit … till all shall see … Christ only, always … living in me!

These are just the ultimate, most beautiful words of surrender to the King of the universe. Hold o’er my being absolute sway! What a risky offer to make—allowing someone else to take and have full control. But when we surrender to God, we don’t have to worry about being taken advantage of, being mistreated, or being hurt. Instead, when we empty ourselves of us, God fills us with His Spirit. With the Holy Spirit bursting out of us, all can see Christ living within. The ultimate goal! 

So the next time you’re sensing too much of yourself and not enough Jesus in your life, pull up “Have Thine Own Way” on YouTube and take a listen. Or if you’re in a difficult season and don’t know what to do, let these lyrics sing over you as you sit, eyes closed, palms up in visible surrender. Speak it out loud, and let your ears hear you actually saying, “Have thine own way, Lord!” His way is better—every single time.