Week one of the World Race in Australia just wrapped up. Currently we are in Coffs Harbour, serving with the local YWAM base. During Monday morning worship, Sam (our YWAM host), led us in a moment of re-dedication in which we had the opportunity to declare the statement, “I give it all to you, Lord” out loud. Not in the sense that we need to rededicate our lives to Christ because we have fallen away but in the sense that… when was the last time that I had truly released everything to God?
“But Jackie, you’ve given up everything do go do missions!” Yeah… in the sense of things, sure… but what about the stuff of the heart? Control? Wants? Desires? Dreams? The personal stuff?
I give it all to you, Lord… what a statement.
When I stop to think about it, what that phrase means, it’s almost hard to comprehend the magnitude of it.
I – Me. My personality, my talents, my shortcomings, my dreams, my successes, my failures… my heart. Everything that I am.
GIVE – To give up possession of something. This is no longer mine. It is not my gift nor responsibility nor burden.
IT – Whatever that is. Whether it is held tightly or loosely.
ALL – Not just something but everything. I don’t get to choose what. Nothing is left untouched.
TO – It is moving. In transit, in route to a new destination. I’m not holding on.
YOU – Not just to some deity that sits far off and waves a lightning bolt when bothered but personable. Someone who desires a personal relationship with me. An actual someone.
LORD – Nobility. Authority. God. Christ.
I give it all to you, Lord…
Man, I really struggle with the concept of giving up control. We all do in some way. It truly challenges the desires of our flesh and our need for some tangible security.
As a child you have no control. I especially didn’t as I moved between 3 different countries and went to 12 different schools. When I was finally able to make decisions, I made all the wrong ones very quickly based off of my emotions and my limited and earthly wisdom. Now as an adult, I really wrestle with the concept of giving up all of me to God. Almost like I am desperate to hold on to anything to create stability where there wasn’t any growing up.
However, if I claim that I serve an all-knowing, all-powerful, here in past, present and future God, what is holding me back? He knows everything that has happened in my life. He sees every aspect of my heart, the good and ugly, and still chooses me everyday even when I don’t choose Him. He sees my dreams and says, “Yes my child, but wait til you see what I dream for you.” Like seriously, am I going to win a creativity contest with the God WHO CREATED THE UNIVERSE?! Who knows me better than I know myself? NOOOO I will not!
God is unstoppable. Nothing can defeat Him nor can He die! Who am I to say that I can do it better? He knows how my actions affects the present and the future, beyond my limited understanding. HE is ETERNAL.
I give it all to you, Lord…
If anyone is cut out for the job of handling my… everything, it will only be God. And honestly, when I truly embrace that concept and reapply it over and over, I have never felt freer.
So, I give it all to you, Lord. Over and over and over and over.
