The Joy of Total Abandonment

    "I don't think there's ever been an article that I've written that has been more than 95 percent for the Lord. There's always some bit of self in it," a Christian writer confessed.

It's that 5 percent of self that prevents us from having the joy that accompanies total abandonment to God. Frances Ridley Havergal wrote a consecration song with these words:

"Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee."

One verse has this prayer:

"Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee;
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold."

Was Frances's prayer sincere? She later wrote to a friend: "The Lord has shown me another little step, and, of course, I have taken it with extreme delight. 'Take my silver and my gold,' now means shipping off all my ornaments to the Church Missionary House (including a jewel cabinet that is really fit for a countess), where all will be accepted and disposed of for me...I don't think I ever packed a box with such pleasure."

Thank You, Lord, that You purify our hearts so we can joyfully offer You anything You ask without needing praise from others.

"He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness. Then shall the offering...be pleasant unto the Lord" (Malachi 3:3, 4).