I was listening to this song one day contemplating the meaning of its lyrics. You may be familiar with it. The beginning goes something like this:
“I surrender all to you
Everything I give to you
withholding nothing
withholding nothing.”
Everything is a weighty word.
I mean just look at the definition:
Oxford Dictionary says everything means:
1.1: All things of importance 1.2: The most important thing or aspect; 2: The current situation; life in general.
Merriam-Webster says everything means:
1a: all that exists 1b: all that relates to the subject 2: all that is important 3: all sorts of other things.
Hearing the song made me think about the ‘everything’ God has challenged me to let go 
of over the years.
ENTIRELY different blog post!
Then it reminded me of God’s challenge to Abraham. In Genesis 22:1-12, God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice the son he promised him.
The next morning, without question or hesitation, Abraham began gathering wood. The only person asking questions on this journey was Isaac, who was slightly concerned that while his father had gathered the necessary materials, he seemed to have forgotten to find a sacrifice.
Abraham, in obedience, prepared Isaac to be sacrificed. Just as Abraham went to commit the act, God stops him. Abraham was willing to give everything. He passed the test.
God sent his Son Jesus to sacrifice his life for the sins of all humanity.
In Luke 22:39-44, Jesus prayed if possible, for God to take this cup of suffering and sacrifice away from him. However, Jesus knew the answer to his prayer before he went to pray. In total obedience, Jesus humbled himself and submitted to the will of his Father.
We have access to a right relationship with God and eternal life because Jesus gave his everything.
What are you willing to give up?
Don’t settle into a comfortable Christianity. Just singing songs about giving everything but only going through the motions.
Following Christ costs.
He wants everything, and sometimes everything hurts.
Different by Design 
Published by