This morning, while driving to the church, I was listening to a CD of instrumental hymns. Thanking the Lord for the old hymn tunes I was hearing, I enjoyed humming their melodies accompanied by full orchestra! Then, the hymn, I Gave My Life For Thee, began. At first, the words came in fragments, but very soon word pictures tumbled through my mind: I gave My life for thee, My precious blood I shed......My Father's house of light, My glory-circled throne, I left....; I suffered much for thee, more than the tongue can tell, to rescue you.....And I have brought to thee...salvation full and free, My pardon, and My love. Each refrain pierced my soul as I recalled the words: I gave My life for thee, What hast thou given for Me?.... I left it all for thee, Hast thou left aught for Me?..... I've borne it all for thee, What hast thou borne for Me?.... I bring rich gifts to thee, What has thou brought to Me?.....
In the remaining minutes before arriving at my destination, I thought about the major question before me......what am I giving in return for what He has so freely given me? Thoughts of various kinds of service ran through my mind; but right in the middle of my thoughts, His word came: I do not need or want your service; I want you - in full surrender to Me. It always amazes me how the Lord cuts right to the core when He is dealing with matters essential to intimacy with Him. There it was...in black and white! One more time the call had come.
Knowing that there is no guarantee of a tomorrow (not even of the next moment!), with all my heart, as much as is in me, I surrendered all I knew of me to Him this morning at Exit 15, trusting that whatever He wishes to do in and through this worn vessel, it will bring great satisfaction to Him and glory beyond comprehension.