"Then He'll call me some day to my home far away, Where His glory forever I'll share."

I don't know about you but I love The Voice. It is one Bobby and I watch together and we love it every year. This year has for sure been my favorite. I usually cling to one contestant but this year, I had like 6 favorites. We are down to the top 4 and 3 of the top 4 are my all time favorite contestants. The reason for this post is because on Monday night, one of them sang a song that is so near and dear to my heart, The Old Rugged Cross. It was my Maw-Maw's favorite hymn and was played at her funeral. But beyond that, the words to The Old Rugged Cross are so deep and spiritual, it makes me tear up every time I hear it.

 

 

Today's blog is going to be a short one. Sometimes it's better to listen than it is to speak. So I am going to let Craig Wayne Boyd do the speaking for me. If you aren't familiar with the song, here are the lyrics. Craig does a shorter version (sings verses 1 and 4) but the message behind it is just as loud.

 

On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame;
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best
For a world of lost sinners was slain. 

 

Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

 

Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above
To bear it to dark Calvary.

 

Refrain:

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

 

In that old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see,
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.

 

Refrain:

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

 

To the old rugged cross I will ever be true;
Its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me some day to my home far away,
Where His glory forever I’ll share.

 

Refrain:

So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.

 

 

The main subject of the song is about the Crucifixion and the scripture is taken from is Galatians 6:14 which says "But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world." (KJV) It was written by George Bennard.

 

George Bennard was in the Salvation Army and after he left, he and his wife became brigade leaders before leaving the organization for the Methodist Church. As a Methodist evangelist, Bennard wrote the first verse of "The Old Rugged Cross" in the fall of 1912 as a response to ridicule that he had received at a revival meeting. During the meetings with other evangelists in 1913, Rev. George Bennard finished "The Old Rugged Cross". The completed version was then performed on June 7th, 1913, by a choir of five, at the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Pokagon. It has then gone to be performed and recorded by so many different artist.

 

Thank you Craig for the reminder I need to hear every day. For reminding me that getting to Jesus Christ in the end is the goal I should strive for every day. Because in the end, I will leave all the worldly possessions behind me and give it all up to be with you. Exchange it all for a crown someday.