"Give Yourself Away to God"

This morning I was reading bits and pieces I had highlighted in one of my favorite books, Stepping Heavenward, by Mrs. E. Prentiss. I love what Katy, the main character, wrote before her wedding:
     "I am dressed and have turned everybody out of this room, where I have suffered so much mortification and experienced so much joy, that before I give myself to Ernest and before I leave home forever, I may once more give myself to God. I have been too absorbed in my earthly love and am shocked to find how it fills my thoughts. But I will belong to God. I will begin my married life in His fear, depending on Him to make me an unselfish, devoted wife."

Katy's attitude is one we should all have, every day of our lives. She said she was once again going to give herself away to God. What does it mean to give yourself away to God? I was thinking about that this morning and decided to break it down a little:

Give yourself away to God.
GIVE yourself-- hold nothing back; this is a gift.
Give YOURSELF-- all that you are, all that you do; all that makes you you.
Give yourself AWAY-- far from your reach, out of your control, beyond where you can see.
Give yourself away TO GOD-- to the only One who deserves this gift, your whole-hearted, self-sacrificial trust, loyalty, respect, and love; to God, and God alone. Let Him rule in your heart; let Him have your mind, soul, heart, and strength.

This is what it means to truly GIVE YOURSELF AWAY TO GOD.

"'...What commandment is the foremost of all?' Jesus answered, 'The foremost is, "Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God is one LORD; and you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.'" (Mark 12:28b-30)

Have a blessed day!
~Courtney