Am I Giving What I Cannot Keep?

The morning is flying by all to quickly, so I'm not sure how much I'll be able to write, but I wanted to share a thought that has been marinating for quite sometime, in hopes I'll be able to make a bit more clarity (and conviction) out of it. 

I recently finished reading Shadow of the Almighty: the Life & Testament of Jim Elliot, a biography of Jim Elliot's life. The book was filled with Jim's journal entries and excerpts from his letters to his friends and family. His life was truly dedicated to Christ; His focus was Christ and spreading His kingdom. One of his most famous quotes, which happens to be on the cover of the book, is  "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Elizabeth Elliot, Shadow of the Almighty: the Life and Testament of Jim Elliot np (1979). 

Wow. As humans, we have no control over our day of birth nor over our day of death. See, e.g. Matthew 6:27. As Christians, we will only find true joy and peace after we have surrendered all to our Lord. Am I surrendering everything to Him? Am I willing to count everything in this world a LOSS for the WORTH of knowing Christ Jesus?

Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 

Philippians 3:8-11 (English Standard). "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Matthew 10:39 (English Standard).

On a practical level, it's often difficult to KNOW what living in complete surrender looks like. I mean, what is God's will? How do I KNOW if I'm doing the right thing (this is in every day decisions as opposed to just NOT outwardly sinning)? Here, I believe that our Lord will lead us, even though we may need to wait on Him for the answers. He does not withhold anything good from His children. See, e.g., Psalm 84:11 (there are several other passages about this). 

As Jim Elliot said to his friend, Pete: "I have not the foggiest idea how or where God will lead you. Of this I am sure. He will lead you and not let you miss your signs. Rest in this--it is His business to lead, command, send, call, or whatever you want to call it. It is your business to obey, follow, move, respond, or what have you." Elliot, supra, at 150. 

Jim Elliot's biography later quoted a poem by Nathan Burma, part of which said, "And shall I pray Thee change Thy will, my Father, Until it be according to Mine? But no, Lord, no; that never shall be, rather I pray Thee, blend my human will with Thine." Id. (unknown page number). 

He who began a good work in us will carry it on to completion! See Psalm 1:6. Oh, for grace to trust Him more! To follow His lead, hanging tightly to Him, as we go through this ride called Life.

Sonia