Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. I began this new day with a Heart overflowing with Gratitude, and I surrendered all that I have and all that I am to Him all over again. Surrendering my all is pretty much a daily thing for me because I know that if I’m not careful, I could easily convince myself that what I have is MINE and that He’s just the generous gatekeeper. When we learn to Surrender everything to Him…our time, talent, AND treasures…the Journey of Life takes on a new Light, and Peace and Gratitude overflow beyond what most people can even imagine. If I see my family as a precious Gift that doesn’t belong to me, I serve my family with Excellence…with a Christlike Heart above all. When I see my treasures (treasures like this beautiful farm) as a Temporary Assignment and a chance to Steward something that doesn’t belong to me, I Surrender it to His Service instead of hoarding it for my own pleasure. Isn’t that the way you see the Journey of Life, too?

There once was a woman who loved Jesus so much that she took her most valuable possession to share with Him. It was a flask of exotic oil worth a small fortune in those days. When she broke the flask and poured the oil over the head of Jesus, the onlookers were outraged. How could she “waste” something so valuable when it could have been “sold and given to the poor?” She acted out of selfless love – giving all that she had – having no idea that she was preparing Jesus for His burial. Jesus rebuked the critics and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her”…and so it is. While the onlookers were calculating how much money could be made by selling this gift, Jesus was looking at her Heart and He saw that her love for her Savior compelled her to give her very best to Him. Most people today are like those onlookers. They calculate the cost of time and treasures before they give to Jesus, and if it doesn’t make “financial sense” to them, they withhold their best from Him. Somehow, they’ve gotten the Truth very mixed up. They’ve convinced themselves that because Jesus loves them, He wants them to have the very best and that He doesn’t want them to suffer or sacrifice. But Loving Jesus shows in how we Give and how we Sacrifice in His name….just like the woman who gave her prized possession, and who is still talked about today.

It’s when we get to that place where we realize that absolutely nothing in this world belongs to us that we Surrender it all to Him, and we give what we have out of LOVE. It’s when we stop focusing on our own needs and our own “plans for the future” that the needs of others are revealed, but that’s the most beautiful Biblical Truth that the selfish heart of man can’t easily see. Why would we hesitate to give what already belongs to Him? When we give with a Surrendered Heart…time, talent, treasures…it always comes back tenfold. That’s not a prosperity theology message that teaches that if you just put more into the offering plate, you’ll miraculously get a lot more in return. That’s nonsense! But God sees the Heart and you can’t outgive Him no matter how hard you try. When we give out of Love for Him, He’ll take care of our needs and beyond. But if what we give isn’t done with a Surrendered Heart – if it isn’t given with a Heart to please the King of all kings, just save your money. God can’t honor a greedy, self-focused heart. BUT, if we give with a Heart like that woman did so long ago…a valuable gift out of Pure Love, the impact will be as long-lasting for us as her gift is still today.

He has “made my lot secure” and “the boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places” because He loves me, and I Love Him so much that I willingly Surrender it all to Him. The Bible won’t be edited to include my name along with the woman with the flask of oil, BUT MY NAME IS WRITTEN IN THE LAMBS BOOK OF LIFE and what I do here – how I treat my family – how I steward my home- how I Give – how I Shepherd – how I Love and how I Share the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ – THAT WILL have an eternal impact and my “story” will not be forgotten when I see Jesus.

All that I am, all that I have, it all belongs to Him.

How about you?