Day 7 – Every Part of Yourself
In the last six devotionals, I been talking about offering every part of ourselves to God. This devotional concludes this series.
“Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God” (Romans 12:1). “The body is for the Lord” (1 Corinthians 6:13). “Offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness” (Romans 6:13).
One concrete way for expressing a “full surrender” is by giving God our eyes, ears, mouth, hands, and feet.
“Lord, I give you my eyes that I may guard my heart purely, receive your truth gladly, perceive your ways wisely, and see you more clearly.”
“Lord, I give you my ears that I may really listen – hearing, understanding, and responding to you and to others.”
“Lord, I give you my mouth that I may speak what is good and true and beautiful.”
“Lord, I give you my hands, and all that is in my hands, to serve you and others.”
“Lord, I give you my feet – help me place my feet upon a solid foundation, pointed in the right direction, taking me to places I can best serve.”
In the courtyard of a quaint little church in a French village stood a beautiful marble statue of Jesus with his hands outstretched.
One day during wartime, a bomb struck near the statue and mutilated it. After the battle was over and the enemy had passed through, the citizens of the village decided to find the pieces of their beloved statue and reconstruct it.
Though the statue was not a great work of art, it was part of their lives, and they loved it. Patiently they gathered the broken pieces and reassembled it. Even the scars on the body added to its beauty. But there was one problem. They were not able to find the hands of the statue.
Someone said sadly, “A Christ without hands is no Christ at all.” Another said, “What’s a Lord without hands. We need a new statue.”
Then someone else came along with another idea, and it prevailed. A brass plaque was attached to the base of the statue, saying, “I have no hands but your hands.”
Years later someone saw that inscription and wrote these lines:
I have no hands but your hands to do my work today.
I have no feet but your feet to lead people on the way.
I have no tongue but your tongue to tell them how I died.
I have no help but your help to bring them to God’s side.
Prayer: “Lord, I offer every part of myself to you that you may live through me.”
~ Pastor Dave
