All of Me, Not a Part, but All of Me

Today's image: Lynn and Jeremiah under the Natural Bride at Ha Ha Tonka State Park near Camdenton, MO.

Philippians 2:20 For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Paul makes this strong statement against the flesh. Sometimes it seems that nobody is truly sold out of the Lord.

As that great man of God, DL Moody, began his service for Christ, his mentor challenged him, "Dwight, the world has never seen what God can do with and for and through a man totally committed to Him." Moody responded, "By God's grace, I shall be that man." At the end of his life, even the great DL Moody, who shook two continents for God, said, "The world has yet to see what God can do what God can do with and through and for a man totally committed to Him."

As preachers, sometimes we feel as did Paul, as if there is no one likeminded, who really cares about the work of God. It seems as if everyone cares only for themselves and their own, not for the things of the Lord.

But then we are reminded that there are those Timothys and Epahrodituses who are truly sold out for the Lord, caring not for their own lives, but willing to serve no matter the cost. Aquilla and Priscilla was a fine example of a couple fully persuaded to serve Christ, no matter the consequences.

Epaphroditus forfeited his health and almost died in service to Christ and the apostle. Mercifully, God healed him and gave him additional opportunities to serve.

I suppose most of us have counted the cost of complete surrender and have found our spiritual bank accounts lacking to cover the expense. So we opt to refrain from total surrender. We cannot cede the reigns to Him for fear of having to give up some dear past time or occupation or possession, as if these things hold any import in the light of eternity.

I love the words of the song which say;
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.

And another song which says;
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me,
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, not turning back.

If we were to estimate how much of our being we have given to Jesus and how much have we reserved for ourselves, I wonder what those percentages would be. Would you say that He has 10% of you? Maybe 20%? Could some say that God has 50%? God is looking to bless one who has surrendered all to Him, 100%.

Might you be that one? The World is yet to see what God can do with and through and for this type of person.