Jesus calls us o’er the tumult
of our life’s wild, restless sea;
day by day his sweet voice soundeth,
saying, “Christian, follow me!” – Cecil Frances Alexander

In the 21st century, it is evident that we are bewildered by the “tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea.” The consequences of consumerism have not only gone wild, but social media has also become a restless sea perfectly captured by its vast, unpredictable, and sometimes overwhelming nature. Navigating this digital ocean requires a distinct strategy to avoid being dragged into the undertow of endless scrolling, toxicity, and algorithmic manipulation.’

Beyond the “vain world’s golden store,” Jesus whispers in our ears, “Christian, love me more than these.” To follow Jesus and love Him more than the “vain world’s golden store” is about applying His priorities and principles, not just by mental assent, a missional invitation to a transformative lifelong journey. Matthew, meaning gift of God, who was living a life that went against God’s purpose, was never truly happy (Matt 9). He may have been able to make money through his job, but he couldn’t find meaning in it. The Matthew in you and me needs a change of priorities and direction to fulfil our life’s purpose as a gift for global reawakening.

In 1852, Cecil Frances Alexander (1818-1895), thinking of the contradictions inherent in being a comfortable Christian (consumerism), penned the verses to “JESUS CALLS US.” One autumn evening, after her husband, Rev. William Alexandra, had spent the day writing his sermon for Saint Andrew’s Sunday, over dinner they discussed the scripture Matthew 4:18-20, in which Jesus called out, “Follow me!” to two brothers fishing in the Sea of Galilee. At once, Andrew (the “First Called”) and Simon Peter (the “Rock”) dropped their nets and followed Jesus. Inspired by this conversation, Cecil wrote this hymn of discipleship. It was read to the congregation that Sunday following the sermon.

Cecil was born in Dublin in April 1818. In 1850, she married Rev William Alexander, who became a bishop in 1867. He later became the Anglican primate (chief bishop) of Ireland. She was strongly influenced by the Oxford Movement and by John Keble’s Christian Year. She wrote hymns based on the Apostles’ Creed, baptism, the Lord’s Supper, the Ten Commandments, and prayer, writing in simple language for children though she never became a mother. Cecil’s ‘days were largely given over to errands of charity and helpfulness, from one poor Irish home to another, from one sick bed to another, from one house of sorrow to another, no matter how remote. She knew all her neighbours and loved them.” She lived what she wrote. She continued to write poems for children throughout her life.

One of her more than four hundred hymn texts of discipleship that challenges consumerism is ‘Jesus calls us o’ver the tumult.’ Contextually, in Ireland, ‘they say, you are never more than sixty miles from sea.’ Cecil knew how wild that sea could be, but also how peaceful and calm it could become. She believed that, with Christ, we can experience calm even amid the tumult around us. As we sing her timeless words, we voice our own prayer to “Give our hearts to Thine obedience, Serve and love Thee best of all.”

Jesus still calls us o’er the tumult of our life’s wild, restless sea; day by day His sweet voice soundeth, saying, “Christian, follow me!” Richard of Chichester aptly described how to follow Jesus in our daily communion: “Day by day, dear Lord, of thee three things I pray; to see thee more clearly, to love thee more dearly, to follow thee more nearly, day by day.” The apostle of old heard the sweet voices by the Galilean lake and they ‘turned from home and toil and kindred, leaving all for Jesus’ sake.’ Jesus still calls the outcast, not just the religiously elite. No matter your past, Jesus sees your potential and offers redemption.

Jesus is still calling people from the worship of the vain world’s golden store,
from each idol that would keep us, saying, “Christian, love me more!” Matthew was called from the seat of a tax collector, arose immediately, and followed Jesus. To follow Jesus demands renouncing self and priorities by denying ourselves and taking up our cross (Matt 16:24). A new direction, no longer as a tax collector but as a gift of God for the Great Commission.

To follow Jesus is to come after Him, to know Him personally, that is, His power of resurrection (Php. 3:8-11). Cecil explained that “In our joys and in our sorrows, days of toil and hours of ease, still He calls, in cares and pleasures, ‘Christian, love me more than these!” Cecil loved God despite her barrenness. She was solely ‘given over to errands of charity and helpfulness, from one poor Irish home to another, from one sick bed to another, from one house of sorrow to another.’

Jesus still calls us. By thy mercies, we can hear His call and, by giving our hearts to His obedience, relying upon Him and allowing Him to make us fishers of men by breaking our ego and pride, by moulding us to His image, equipping and transforming us to serve and love Him best of all. To follow Jesus is more than need-based ministry; it is a call to discipleship that requires action. Matthew’s response shows that following Jesus requires letting go of our old ways—and often our old priorities, attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, and practices. Beloved, time is running out, and there is no time to respond to His call by hiding like Adam and Eve.