08/23/2026
Only One Life
Teach us to use wisely all the time we have. Psalm 90:12 (CEV)
Charles Thomas (CT) Studd (1860-1931) was a famous British cricket player who left sports, wealth, and fame to become a pioneering missionary in China, India, and Africa.
During a revival in 1877, he and two of his brothers converted to Christianity. In 1884, at the height of his sports career, Studd decided his athletic career was spiritually empty. He gave away his entire inheritance to various charities and joined a group of young, elite British men who became missionaries to China and were known as the "Cambridge Seven".
He founded Worldwide Evangelization Crusade International, an organization that to this day actively works to see Christ known, loved, and worshipped by the unreached peoples of the world. Studd never retired from his work for the Lord.
He wrote the poem behind the famous saying, "Only one life, will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last."
ONLY ONE LIFE
by 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 Judgment 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 days 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.