Day Four

“I desire to give myself to You in willing abandonment, and to remain Yours forever.  Lord, in simplicity of heart, I offer myself to You this day, always to be Your obedient servant and a sacrifice of perpetual praise.”  (The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis)

Perhaps nothing is so fitting to offer our Lord during Lent than this simple prayer.  What could we offer to Jesus more important than ourselves?  Of course if we offer this prayer we must be prepared to respond when He accepts our offer.  So many times, people ask God for guidance but refuse that guidance when given.

It seems we are all anxious for God to help us live our life until that help interferes with what we want or desire.  Lent is a time to relinquish our hearts, our wants, and desires to God.  If we, in all sincerity ask for God’s help and guidance can we doubt that he will give it?  It isn’t God who fails but us; we fail to understand and accept that this offering of self will almost always lead to change in our life.

Search your inner self; discover what within you is keeping you from giving yourself to God.  We all have obstacles to overcome if we truly want to be His obedient servant.  God stands ready to help us master our failings if we seek His help with repentance and sincerity.