My Thorns On His Brow

1 John 4:19 King James Version (KJV)

19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Strange, isn't it, that God first loved us, no matter how awkward or goofy we feel?  Feeling out of place?  You place is in God's heart.  Today I uploaded to Youtube Casting Crowns' version of the hymn that originated in the heart of a boy, William Ralph Featherston, who wrote the words as a poem.  (Unfortunately the video is blocked from viewing in this country.) Young William died at the age of 27 before his words had become this beloved hymn of the church.  It is also thought to be his only published work.  God loved the young man and had His plan for his life.  It's not strange, it's amazing God's loving us first.  That we would wear my thorns on his brow is a testament of that astonishing love.  I am both humbled and incredibly grateful but also deeply in love with my Jesus.

My Jesus, I Love Thee
My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine;
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign;
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.
In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,

If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.