“Upon hearing this, the young man went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22).
What does it truly mean to surrender to the Lord, like that rich young man we encounter in the Bible? He was even willing to consecrate a part, to sanctify the centimeter, but when Jesus asked for the whole meter, he recoiled. And here lies the danger that lurks for each of us: we think we can give God almost everything, but we keep some areas for ourselves. We surrender the house, but mark certain rooms as “private”. It is like the pastor who confessed that his Christian life was hindered because, from the bunch of keys he gave to the Lord, he held one back. One key may seem insignificant, but it makes all the difference.
Now, look at the great names in Scripture — Abraham, David, Mary. What did they have in common? They did not keep any reserves. They obeyed God without holding anything back for themselves, without saying “this far I will go, but no further”. And this is exactly what God expects from us. Do not be deceived: if you want an intimate relationship with Him, it cannot be half-hearted. God does not accept partial surrender, a divided heart. He wants everything — every centimeter, every room, every key. And this may come at a high cost, may mean letting go of what you love most, but it is the only way to experience the fullness of what God has for you.
And here is the point you need to understand: a blessed relationship with God requires steadfast and permanent obedience. There is no room for reserves, for secret areas that you hide from the Lord. If you want to truly walk with God, you must decide today that He will have total control, no matter the cost. When you do this, when you surrender all the keys without holding any back, you open the door to blessings, guidance, and intimacy that are priceless. So, stop offering just a part and start offering the whole. This is how you will live out the complete plan that God has for your life. -Adapted from J. Jowett. Until tomorrow, if the Lord permits.
Pray with me: Dear God, it is true that I often find myself wanting to give You only a part of myself, like that rich young man who sanctified the centimeter, but recoiled when You asked for the whole meter. I confess that, many times, I mark rooms of my life as “private”, giving You almost everything, but holding some keys back for myself, thinking that a small reserve will not make a difference. Today, I recognize the danger of partial surrender and how it hinders my relationship with You, and I ask that You help me to let go of all control, trusting that only in You I find fullness.
My Father, today I ask that You give me the courage to follow the example of Abraham, David, and Mary, who obeyed without reserves, without holding anything back for themselves. Teach me not to divide my heart, but to surrender every centimeter, every room, every key of my life to You, even if it means letting go of what I love most. I ask that You guide me to obey Your will without limits, so that I may experience an intimate and true relationship with You, without secret areas or hidden reserves, trusting that You want the best for me.
Oh, Most Holy God, I worship and praise You for promising blessings, guidance, and intimacy to those who decide, with steadfastness, to surrender everything to You, living in steadfast and permanent obedience, without holding anything back. Your beloved Son is my eternal Prince and Savior. Your powerful Law is the light that reveals every dark corner of my heart, a purifying fire that consumes my reserves. Your commandments are open doors to Your presence, a song of freedom that echoes in my soul. I pray in the precious name of Jesus, amen.
