Are You Giving God 100%?

Do you give God 100%? I always thought I did . . . until I realized I didn’t.

But let’s start at the beginning of my story.

From Halfhearted to All In

I grew up in a Christian family and gave my heart to the Lord when I was only four years old. As I grew up, I was “trained” in the “right” Christian way and always did the “right” things: I read my Bible every day, I prayed, I hardly ever missed a Sunday church service, I invited my friends to outreaches, etc.

I was a real Christian. I was strong in my faith. I did all the right things. But about one year ago I noticed something was wrong. Something was missing.

I wasn’t giving God everythin– 100% of myself. Being “good”, even “better” than other Christians (from a human perspective, of course) was not enough. God wanted my everything.

During that time I wrote in my diary: “I know what God is telling me. I know what he wants. But I’m scared. Because if I give everything some things will have to change. My life will change.” There was a spiritual struggle within me.

This burning topic on my mind and on my heart could not be avoided. I had to make my choice.

Then, one Sunday during the church service, I suddenly very strongly felt Him calling me. “Sarah, you know what I want. You know what is right. Daughter, give me your whole life. Give me every part.”

The next song the congregation stood up to sing was “Jesus, ich will gehen, sende mich.” In English: “Jesus, I want to go, send me.” At that moment I knew that I couldn’t sing this song without truly meaning it and giving Him my all. And I said, “Yes.”

Lord, Send Me

Later, I found Isaiah 6:8, which really mirrors that part of my story. “And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then I said, ‘Here I am! Send me.’” (Isaiah 6:8)

Where in the Bible does the topic of giving to God appear? In John 4, a story we all know well, Jesus is standing at the well, speaking to the woman and he says, “Give me a drink.” (John 4:7). Yes, he was referring to water, but this also counts for our lives. Are you surprised?

Too often we focus on what our “advantages” are as children of God—what we get out of the relationship, what God gives us, and we forget what we should give him– everything. All our energy, all our resources should be poured out for him.

Out life is not about us. It’s about God. 1 Corinthians 10:31b says, “Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Every smallest thing we do, we do all to His glory, for him.

Why? Because He needs us? No. God doesn’t need us. We live our lives for Christ because He deserves it. In Revelations 4 we read, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power.” (Revelation 4:11a)

It’s a Daily Choice

Back to my story. Did my life change?, you may ask. Yes, it did. It wasn’t a “struck by lightning moment.” It was gradual. But now, when I look back, I can see how different I am. How God changed me. How I grew.