I surrender all?

Oh, this journey seems to be changing directions every time I think I've got it all figured out!

Have you ever prayed those really hard prayers... like the song we sang in church, "I surrender all"... have we ever really considered what we're praying? I mean REALLY thought about it..

I Surrender All
(written by Judson W. Van DeVenter - all red added by Jenni!)


Verse 1:
All (except my husband) to Jesus, I surrender;
all (except my children) to Him I freely give.
I will ever (except when the money runs out) love and trust Him,
in His presence daily (except those days when I'm living for self) live.

Chorus:
I surrender all (except my reality shows on t.v.), I surrender all (except my book club).
All (except my addiction to chocolate and coffee) to Thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all (except all my "good" works at the church).

Verse 2:
All (except my pride) to Jesus I surrender;
humbly (except when I'm feeling really self-righteous) at His feet I bow.
Worldly pleasures (except the ones that really make me "feel" good!) all forsaken;
take me, Jesus, take me now (I just need to take my afternoon nap first).

Chorus

Verse 3:
All to Jesus, I surrender;
make me, Savior, wholly Thine.
Let me feel the Holy Spirit (Just don't ask me to give up all the above),
truly know that Thou art mine.

Okay, I really don't want to offend anyone, but I do sincerely hope that by some strange chance you came across this blog because you too are feeling the call to Hear His Voice, to give up anything that is standing in the way of knowing the Father's Perfect will. To have that burning fire of revival lit up inside you like the revivalists of old. No matter how strange it will look to your family, no matter what the cost, or how painful it will get, you know deep down inside it really is the only way to embrace the Cross. To know His Presence fully.
I'm not there yet. I have such a long way to go because there are still so many things that I am holding on to.

We have surrendered each other (Hubby & I), surrendered our children, our business, our lifestyle, our addictions. It's an on going process, but we can't do it in our own strength, we can only do it with Jesus.
But slowly, ever so slowly, I am hearing Him more. and I when I dare to ask Him," Lord, what else do I need to give up to get closer to You? What am I putting first before You?"
I pretty much do get an answer, and the answer is not always an easy one.
Like giving up my book club membership. Why? Surely there is nothing wrong with belonging to a Christian book club? Well, I have learned, we serve a Jealous God, and even our Christian clubs or friends or works in the Church or Christian novels can be an abomination to Him if it sidetracks our time with Him.

I read the most amazing sermon by Charles Spurgeon called "Jealous God" you can read it here
Give it a try, I encourage you, it really challenged me.

Blessings!

Jenni