All

Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything – all she had to live on.”                      Mark 12.43, 44

Jesus asks for my all. I like to think that I am willing in this, yet I sometimes wonder. The story of the poor widow is a startling reminder. This dear soul gave all she had.

It is interesting that Mark first notes the large amounts that the rich people put into the temple treasury. Yet, at the end of the day, they were still rich. The widow, on the other hand, gave all her worldly means – and was left with nothing. Nothing, that is, of herself or what the world could give her. The rich presumably continued with life, looking to their own means for support and provision. The widow had no means left. She had emptied herself fully of herself and her hope of self-provision. Now she was totally available. God could now come into her life in divine majesty and splendour and endow her, as He pleased, with the riches of heaven.

There is really no comparison between the self-preserving rich of this story and the all-sacrificing poor widow. How do I fare in this scheme?

Lord God,

I want to serve You with all of my being, to surrender my all to You, yet I am greatly apprehensive of losing the necessities for living. I try not to hold on, but I don’t always succeed in letting go.

I commit to You anew. I will myself to surrender. Take me, Lord, and make me Yours. Help me when I struggle to hold on. You are my provider. I know this and I thank You. Let me give myself into Your provision, trusting You for all that I need and allowing You to have Your way in me.

Receive me, Lord. Lead me. I want to go the way You would have me go, the way that is totally pleasing to You. Hallelujah!

                                                                                                                                       Amen.