Without Reserve

I remember the day so well, though it was many years ago now. I was walking down a street, talking to the Lord, expressing my desire for more of Him, yet feeling apprehensive of what that might mean. I'd been a Christian for five years and was struggling with a growing frustration, and an insistence somewhere deep down in me that there must be more to life with God than I was experiencing. I felt something new needed to happen. It was like facing a closed door and I knew I needed the key. I so wanted to go through the door, away from the confines of narrow streets, into the wide open spaces full of life and colour.

Then, unmistakably, God spoke: “Are you willing to yield yourself to Me without reserve?” It was those two words “without reserve” that really stood out to me – that unconditional surrender, which brought with it feelings of vulnerability and fear of the unknown. Could I really trust God enough to abandon myself to His will, totally and unreservedly? I knew in that moment that this was the key to opening the door and stepping out into life in all its fullness, which Jesus promised us.

A few days later, I responded - “Yes, Lord.” It felt risky, but I discovered that trusting God is never risky, because He’s totally trustworthy. Certainly, those words ‘without reserve’ involve an abandonment, a dying to self to give myself wholly to Him. But isn’t this what God Himself did for me? Today’s verses describe the extent of God’s love for us, how He gave to us, without reserve, not even sparing His only Son. And Jesus, in spite of the cost, said “Yes” to the Father’s will – without reserve – because of His love for us.

That day of saying “Yes” to God was the beginning of life with Him in a new dimension, and, over the years, I’ve discovered that this total self-surrender to the Lord is the key in every aspect of walking with God. It’s the key to being filled with the Spirit, to coming closer to the Father’s heart and experiencing His unconditional love, to overcoming barriers, seeing victory in our lives, and knowing His all-sufficient presence when we go through times of suffering. As we yield ourselves daily to the One who gave Himself for us, we’ll find that He’ll be more to us than we ever dreamed of. We’ll know first-hand the truth that His strength is made perfect in our weakness, and that when we can’t, He can.

So, if God is speaking to you today about yielding yourself to Him without reserve, don’t hesitate to respond. You’ll always be glad you did.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die in my place. I'm sorry I haven’t always given my all to You, as You did for me. But today, as I come to You, trusting in Your great love, I want to give myself afresh to You, yielding myself to You more than I’ve ever done before, without holding anything back. Please take me, fill me, and flow through me with Your power and Your love, that many more may be drawn to Your love and know Your salvation and healing in their lives. And may all the glory go to You. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.