Let Me Burn Out For Thee

As soon as I heard about this song, I knew that I wanted find the lyrics and share them with all of you.

My Pastor has shared many times about this song being his mom's favorite, but recently it has become even more important as her time on earth is quickly coming to an end.  I've only met this woman twice, but she left a mark on my heart as a loving, caring, sweet and yet stubborn woman that has a heart for sharing the gospel to whoever is put in her path.  As she has been very ill for the last couple months, many people have come in contact with her.  Some came to her house, some were at the doctor's office and some at the hospital.  Yet, wherever she was, she made sure that the person she was talking to heard the gospel.  She is looking forward to spending eternity with the Lord, but understands that she is still here for a reason and her hearts desire is to burn out for Him.

Her family members could share story after story of her diligence in sharing the gospel.  One of the stories came from back when all her kids were young and with several in diapers she was not able to be out spreading the gospel to others and was frusrtated with that :}  She knew her place was with the kids at home and that the ministry of serving, sharing the gospel and training them was just as important as sharing it with strangers, but she had such an incredible desire to share the good news and was frustrated.  So she prayed to the Lord, to send someone or open up an opportunity so that she could minister in this way.....Well, the Lord sent a salesman to her door and she saw him as a gift from God :)  She figured that if she let him talk to her about what he was selling, then he would have to listen to her afterward.   And she did! 

There was a fervency in her heart to share, because she knew that her time on earth was short.  I pray that all of our hearts would be set on fire to share the Good News and that our utmost desire would be to "burn out" for the God we owe everything to.

Oh God, the world is lost in sin,

And so few that seem to care,

Many of whom profess Thy Name, No burden will help to bear,

We need a passion, Lord, for souls,

To bring the lost back to Thee,

Our hearts must be stirred till all have heard

At least once of Calvary.

Refrain
Let me burn out for Thee, dear Lord
Burn and wear out for Thee
Don’t let me rust, or my life be a failure, my God, to Thee
Use me and all I have, dear Lord,
And hold me so close to Thee
That I feel the throb of the great heart of God
Until I burn out for Thee.

How cold has been our giving, Lord!

How selfish our love has been,

Keeping from those who never heard

The gospel that saves from sin!

How often we have turned aside

Neglecting to do our part,

Forgetting Thy tears and agony,

Forgetting Thy bleeding heart

Refrain

Meet us and break us up, dear Lord

Until driven to our knees

Bare to our gaze, Thy cross and love,

Of blood-baptized Calvary,

Speak till we hear again Thy call,

And hold nothing back from Thee.

Oh, burn on our hears the hopeless wail

Of souls damned eternally.

Refrain

O God, with shame I humbly bow,

In tears and a contrite heart.

Forgive me for the broken vows,

And failure to do my part.

I heed Thy call and say “Farewell”

To all that would hinder me;

Thy grace and Thy love to lost ones tell,

And my life burn out for Thee

Refrain

Let me burn out for Thee, dear Lord
Burn and wear out for Thee
Don’t let me rust, or my life be a failure, my God, to Thee
Use me and all I have, dear Lord,
And hold me so close to Thee
That I feel the throb of the great heart of God
Until I burn out for Thee.

~ Bessie Hatcher