Charles Thomas (C. T.) Studd was born in England in 1860. And before he passed away in 1931, he literally spanned the globe as a Christian missionary in China, India, and Africa. C.T. was an outstanding British cricketer and had a wonderful career in sports ahead of him but all that changed when God chose to use an atheist to redirect young C.T. in a new direction. As providence would have it one day C.T. read a pamphlet from an atheist that said, if he believed in the Christian message, he would do everything he could to share the gospel with an many people as possible. As a result, C.T. was challenged to share the message of Christ with all he came in contact with.
C.T. Studd is a classic example of an individual who gave up everything this world could offer in order that he might gain Christ. After weighting what he could have achieved by staying in England and enjoying his wealth C.T. once said: “How could I spend the best years of my life in living for the honours of this world, when thousands of souls are perishing every day?”1 In the end C.T. Studd made a choice that had eternal significance not only for him but for the thousands of souls his sacrificial life was able to touch.
In today’s devotion I would like to leave you with a very special poem that C.T. penned that I believe will leave you with words that I pray will inspire you to do great things for Christ!
Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past2
C.T. Studd
Two little lines I heard one day,
Traveling along life’s busy way;
Bringing conviction to my heart,
And from my mind would not depart;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Soon will its fleeting hours be done;
Then, in ‘that day’ my Lord to meet,
And stand before His Judgement seat;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, the still small voice,
Gently pleads for a better choice
Bidding me selfish aims to leave,
And to God’s holy will to cleave;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, a few brief years,
Each with its burdens, hopes, and fears;
Each with its clays I must fulfill,
living for self or in His will;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
When this bright world would tempt me sore,
When Satan would a victory score;
When self would seek to have its way,
Then help me Lord with joy to say;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Give me Father, a purpose deep,
In joy or sorrow Thy word to keep;
Faithful and true what e’er the strife,
Pleasing Thee in my daily life;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Oh, let my love with fervor burn,
And from the world now let me turn;
Living for Thee, and Thee alone,
Bringing Thee pleasure on Thy throne;
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
Only one life, yes only one,
Now let me say, ”Thy will be done;”
And when at last I’ll hear the call,
I know I’ll say “twas worth it all;”
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last. ”
Only one life, ’twill soon be past,
Only what’s done for Christ will last.
And when I am dying, how happy I’ll be,
If the lamp of my life has been burned out for Thee
1 C.T Studd’s Most Memorable Quotes
2 Only One Life, Twill Soon Be Past – Poem by C.T Studd | Life. In Light Of Eternity. (wordpress.com)