As we embark on a New Year I want to share with you a few quotes from various people that have encouraged me on my journey of faith. As many folk pose the question "What have you given up for the New Year?" this quote seemed very appropriate.
Martyr Jim Elliot (1927-1956), missionary to the Auca people in Ecuador, often expressed this classic piece of wisdom: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
There are a myriad of things that we can never possess in life; one of these, and the most significant one, is having ultimate control over our life. I will never forget a friend saying to me "If you don't think God has a sense of humour, tell him your plans!".
Calling the crowd to join his disciples, Jesus said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? Mark 8:34-37 [The Message]
This New Year consider 'giving up' to God daily, surrender your will, your character defects and those matters over which you have been avoiding God. This can't be done overnight, it's a process commencing with the seconds and minutes. It's about training. It's about listening to, and cooperating with, the Holy Spirit who dwells in us and continually desires to transform us and continue the good work he started.
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Dawn Milward
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