Prone to Wander

Prone to wander, Lord I feel it; Prone to leave the God I love . . .  ~ Robert Robinson. 

Last Sunday, we used Robinson’s hymn, “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” in both worship gatherings. I have loved the hymn for decades and never fail to comment about its verses when we use it in worship - no doubt repeating the things I’ve said in the past. The hymn is rich with poignance and drenched in timeless truth. Robinson celebrates the glory of God’s grace and the sorrow of wandering from our home like the prodigal child. 

Robert Robinson’s faith journey started when he was very young. He was a troubled teen who brought constant frustration and embarrassment to his parents. He went to an outdoor preaching event led by George Whitefield, a contemporary John Wesley who convinced him to preach in the streets. Robinson planned to bully and disrupt the preaching but unintentionally became convicted by Whitefield’s message. Robert gave his life to Christ that same day and eventually became a minister. “Prone to wander . . . Lord, I FEEL IT AGAIN!” “Prone to leave the God I love!” “LORD, TAKE MY HEART AND SEAL IT!”  

Robert strayed from his new life and became a sad, broken man. He knew what he needed, but he could not prevent his gradual slide back into his old ways. Late in his life, Robinson found himself riding in a stagecoach with a young woman reading from her hymnal - in those days, hymn books contain no musical notation. She had just finished reading one that so moved her that she had to share it with him. It was “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” After unsuccessfully attempting to change the subject, Robinson finally confessed, “Madam, I am the poor man who wrote that hymn many years ago, and I would give a thousand worlds to enjoy the feelings I had then.” (Peterson and Peterson 2006, 371)

What happened to Robert Robinson? How did he quench the fire of conviction and release the fetter that once bound his heart to God’s goodness? Perhaps it was inevitable. The gospel of Christ is powerful, and when a Spirit-filled Christian Believer, presents it the power of conviction is hard to resist. However, it is essential to remember that a new life has begun at the moment of repentance and surrender. It would consider it absurd to dress a newborn baby in adult clothes and then sit him behind a desk or at the controls of heavy machinery. Yet, that is what often happens when new Christians are born. Imagine one estranged from God and the people who gather in God’s name, suddenly awakened to the joy of God’s grace and the hope of eternity with God. His or her enthusiasm is contagious and met with exuberance but, if not carefully handled in that moment of great opportunity and vulnerability will quickly fade from lack of training and discipline. 

Patient perseverance is required while learning to live with an entirely new paradigm. God will not raise leaders from the ranks of those who never knew how to follow. The Lord will bring counselors and mentors alongside the new Believer. The Ecclesia (the Body of Christ) must prayerfully and thoughtfully nurture new Christians. The Body must be willing to intentionally walk a disciple’s pathway and to urge each other onward. Spiritual maturity usually follows a similar course to moral and social adulthood. Therefore, it is vital for elder disciples of Jesus to protect the less mature from their lack of wisdom without stifling their passion. Robert Robinson probably moved too rapidly from street gang member to Christian Believer and then into professional religious life. Unfortunately, churches often destroy passionate pastors who lack humility, wisdom, and inner strength. Comfortable church attenders frequently quench the fire they so desperately need. 

The local church must embrace intentional discipleship for every member to avoid this sort of perpetual brokenness. With the Holy Spirit’s aid, wise leaders in the Ecclesia will provide for nurture and passion in the Body. Understanding and sanctified imagination suggest that Robert Robinson was allowed to build his spiritual house on sand. His discontent was indicative of a lack of humility and wisdom until it was too late. Robinson’s beautiful, insightful hymn informs us that we need to erect a stone of remembrance from time-to-time to mark our progress along the disciple’s way. We must present our hearts to the Lord daily, asking that He seal it against the trials we face. When we feel the tendency to wander, we can turn to the Ecclesia (the Body of Christ) for patient understanding and support. We can obtain contentment through humility and wisdom.  

Peterson, William J., and Ardythe Peterson. 2006. The Complete Book of Hymns. 1st ed. Vol. 1. 1 vols. Carol Stream, Illinois: Tyndale House Publishers.