Consecration

The words ‘sanctification’ and `consecration` are words I grew up with as a child. From a very young age I understood that my heart and my life needed to belong to Jesus, and that my walk as His child should be one of purity and holiness. At the church I grew up in we often sang the old hymn, ‘Take my life and let it be consecrated Lord to Thee’. I used to sing it at the top of my voice, meaning every word. Of course, I also discovered along the way that this walk was a challenging one, often plagued with temptations and trials, which would make this life of consecration almost unattainable for someone like me.

According to the dictionary the word ‘consecrate’ means ‘to make holy or to dedicate to a higher purpose’. It means to set something apart for a divine purpose. I am busy reading a book by Frances Ridley Havergal called ‘Kept for the Master’s use’. She made a statement that rang true for me in my spirit. She says, `Consecration is not so much a step as a course, not so much an act, as a position to which a course of action inseparably belongs`.

Consecration is not a step – a once-off act of dedication, or even something one does from time to time to affirm your devotion to God. Rather, consecration is a course, a journey one embarks on. It’s a positioning of self under God’s pre-eminence, recognising Him to be the ultimate authority over body, soul and spirit. This sounds very noble and spiritual, but I’ve discovered that it simply means a daily, and sometimes moment-by-moment, decision to act, speak and respond from my position in Christ, where Jesus is Lord of every part of me. Our soul, which is our mind, will, and emotions, is very powerful. We think, feel and choose more easily from what we experience in the natural, because it feels more real than what we may know to be true in our spirit man. But if I choose to position myself according to what my spirit knows to be true, my soul needs to line up with God’s truth and His best for my life.

When I haven’t managed to get this right, I have experienced God’s grace and His mercy towards me, picking me up, dusting me off and sending me on my way again, whispering the affirmation of His unconditional love and acceptance to me as His daughter. He is a kind Father who knows our struggles and weaknesses. ‘As a father pities his children, So the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust’ (Psalm 103:13-14).

I am encouraged and challenged to keep my heart set on God and to remain in a place of godly alignment with the Lord so that my life will be one of daily resting under His covering.

Prayer: Lord, I acknowledge You as Lord of my body, soul and spirit, and I chooses again today to position every part of myself under Your authority as my Lord and Saviour. Thank You that You are kind and compassionate, and so patient with me on this journey to become more like You. I desire to be consecrated wholly to Your good plans for my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.