June 5

Oswald Smith told the following illustration about surrender. He took four books in his hand, then laid them down on the altar, one by one.

“This is my money. This is my time. This is my house. This is my family. They are all—the Lord’s. “But I have reserved a room for my vacation—that money I will keep for myself.” He took back the first book.

“Yes, I gave my time, but that time for my vacation is mine.” He took back the second book. “My house is the Lord’s. But my sister is ill and she has six naughty boys. I cannot invite them to my new house. They will make it dirty!” He took back the third book.

“My family is the Lord’s. My daughter wanted to become a missionary. That is not possible. She must help her mother.” He took back the fourth book.

After I heard that story, I saw that in my life I had taken back that which I had first surrendered. I dedicated my life anew to the Lord. We must do that time and time again.

(I experienced that surely the Lord gives vacations, but when we take them from His hand, and not as our right, they become a blessing to those we travel with and meet on vacation.)

You are not your own, you were bought with a price.

1 Corinthians 6: 19-20

Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.