Evie - Have Thine Own Way Lyrics
Lyrics
Have Thine own way Lord,
Have Thine own way,
Thou art the potter, and I am the clay.
Mould me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way Lord,
Have Thine own way,
Search me and try me, Master, today,
Whiter than snow Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence, humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way Lord,
Have Thine own way,
Hold o'er my being, absolute sway,
Fill with thy Spirit, till all shall see,
Christ only always, living in me.
Video
Evie Tornquist - Have Thine Own Way
Meaning & Inspiration
Evie’s rendition of "Have Thine Own Way," released on October 1, 1975, as part of her influential album *Evie Again*, stands as a powerful testament to the enduring message of surrender and divine sovereignty. This classic hymn, originally penned by Adelaide Pollard, finds fresh resonance through Evie's earnest and clear vocal delivery, making its profound spiritual truths accessible to a new generation while preserving its timeless core. The song delves into the deep desire of a believer to yield every aspect of their life to God’s perfect will, navigating themes of divine craftsmanship, purification, and Spirit-filled living.
The essence of "Have Thine Own Way" unfolds through a three-fold petition for God's transformative work. The opening stanza immediately draws upon the rich biblical metaphor of the potter and the clay: "Thou art the potter, and I am the clay. Mould me and make me after Thy will." This imagery powerfully conveys God’s creative authority and the believer's humble posture of submission. Just as clay has no will of its own apart from the potter’s hands, so too does the spiritual journey require an acknowledging that God is the master designer, shaping lives according to His divine purpose. This resonates deeply with Jeremiah 18, where the Lord instructs Jeremiah to go to the potter’s house, demonstrating God's sovereign right to mold and remold His people as He sees fit. Isaiah 64:8 echoes this sentiment, declaring, "But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand." The act of "waiting, yielded and still" is not passive idleness but an active, trusting surrender to God’s ongoing work, even when the process is unclear or uncomfortable. It speaks to a profound belief that God’s plan is ultimately for our good and His glory, requiring patience and steadfast faith during formation.
The second stanza shifts from creation to sanctification, presenting an earnest prayer for divine scrutiny and purification: "Search me and try me, Master, today, Whiter than snow Lord, wash me just now." This heartfelt cry for introspection invites God to examine the innermost parts of the heart, uncovering hidden sin or areas of unyieldedness. Psalm 139:23-24 perfectly articulates this desire for divine probing: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way." Following this plea for examination is the request for cleansing, a longing to be made "whiter than snow." This vivid imagery directly references biblical promises of forgiveness and purification, notably Psalm 51:7, which states, "Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow," and Isaiah 1:18, where God promises, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white as snow." The prayer acknowledges human fallibility and expresses a deep need for God’s grace to cleanse and renew, enabling one to stand humbly and purely in His presence.
Finally, the third stanza culminates in a declaration of absolute surrender and a longing for Christ’s manifest presence within the believer: "Hold o'er my being, absolute sway, Fill with thy Spirit, till all shall see, Christ only always, living in me." This is the ultimate aspiration of the song: not just partial surrender or occasional purification, but a complete giving over of one’s entire existence to divine governance. To grant God "absolute sway" is to relinquish personal control, trusting completely in His wisdom and authority over every thought, word, and deed. This radical yielding paves the way for the indwelling and empowering of the Holy Spirit, a central New Testament promise for believers (Ephesians 5:18). The stanza's profound climax, "till all shall see, Christ only always, living in me," echoes the transformative truth found in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." This vision extends beyond personal holiness to an outward manifestation of faith, where one’s transformed life becomes a living testimony, allowing others to witness the reality of Christ working through them. Evie's delivery of these lines inspires a profound challenge for listeners to consider the depth of their own surrender and the extent to which Christ is truly evident in their daily walk.
"Have Thine Own Way" remains a timeless anthem for believers seeking deeper spiritual intimacy and obedience. Evie’s sensitive and faithful interpretation on *Evie Again* ensured that the hymn's powerful message of unconditional surrender to God’s molding hand, His searching light, and His Spirit’s filling power continued to encourage and challenge individuals toward a life fully devoted to Christ. It is a profound meditation on the journey of faith, inviting all who engage with it to embrace God's sovereign will as the ultimate path to true fulfillment and purpose.