B.J. Thomas - Be It Unto Me Lyrics + Chords
Lyrics
Oh Mary
Sweet Mary
I must wake you from your sleep
Don't be frightened
'Cause I've come
With a secret you must keep
There's a mission
So listen
God is calling you to serve
For this night you will carry
The Savior of the world
So will go
Or will you stay
Then Heaven's angel heard Mary say
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Ohhh
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Lord shine down your light
Shatter the dark
Shine down your love
Into my heart
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Oh brothers and sisters
Awaken from your sleep
Don't be frightened
For the Light
From Heaven must speak
There's a mission
So listen
God is calling us to serve
See the dying
Hear them crying
Bring a Savior to their world
So will you go
Or will you stay
Don't you want Heaven to hear you say
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Lord shine down your light
Shatter the dark
Shine down your love
Into my heart
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Hear the call that lifts your higher
God gives wings to your desires
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Ohhh
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Lord shine down your light
Shatter the dark
Shine down your love
Into my heart
Be it unto me
According to your word
Be it unto me
According to your word
Call on me now
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
ohh ohh
You can call on me
Be it unto me
Be it unto me
According to your word
You can call on me
Be it unto me
According to your word
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
You can call on me
You can call on me
You can count on me
Be it unto me
According to your word
You will my mind oh Lord
Be it unto me
According to your word
Why don't you call on me sometime
Be it unto me
According to your word, oh Lord
Video
B.J. Thomas - Be It Unto Me
Meaning & Inspiration
B.J. Thomas's "Be It Unto Me," featured on his 1997 album *Christmas Is Coming Home*, is a profound musical meditation on faith, surrender, and divine purpose. The song artfully draws inspiration from the pivotal moment of the Annunciation, recounting the angel Gabriel's message to Mary. It captures the immensity of God's call and Mary's unwavering acceptance, a powerful testament to obedience in the face of the extraordinary. The narrative then broadens, extending this call to service and witness to all believers, urging them to embrace their own missions from God.
The core of the song's message resonates deeply with the biblical account of Mary's response to the angel. When confronted with the seemingly impossible – bearing the Son of God – her simple yet monumental declaration, "Be it unto me according to your word" (Luke 1:38), encapsulates a perfect model of yielding to God's will. This phrase is not merely a passive acceptance but an active and trusting surrender, acknowledging God's sovereignty and trusting His plan implicitly. Thomas expands this theme by drawing parallels to the Great Commission and the ongoing work of God in the world. The lyrics "There's a mission, so listen, God is calling you to serve" echo the divine imperative given to the disciples to spread the Gospel, as seen in Matthew 28:19-20: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you."
The song beautifully articulates the human struggle with fear and doubt when faced with God's calling, mirrored in the angel's reassurance to Mary, "Don't be frightened." This sentiment is a universal experience for anyone called to something beyond their own perceived capabilities. Yet, the lyrics offer an empowering perspective: "Lord shine down your light, shatter the dark, shine down your love into my heart." This plea is a desire for divine strength and illumination, enabling believers to overcome their fears and walk in obedience. It speaks to the power of God's love to transform, as described in 1 John 4:18: "There is no fear in love. But perfect love casts out fear." The repeated invitation to "call on me now" and "you can count on me" reinforces the constant availability of God's grace and support for those who endeavor to fulfill His purposes. The song ultimately serves as an inspiring call to action, encouraging listeners to echo Mary's profound submission and embrace their roles as vessels for God's light and love in the world, reminding them that through faith and surrender, they can indeed carry the Savior to those in need.