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You Own It All

As I stubbornly walk through this life working to succeed in earning the reward of my works, you have spoken to my heart and my weary mind the truth of my condition.

In days past, most of the effort I have exerted each day was in the determination to win the sustenance to continue and the right to declare what is mine in this world. I have worked with rigid determination to succeed and to claim what I have earned in this life. My will outweighing the limits of my body and my mind focused on obtaining the goal of my desire. My efforts have at times left me broken, bleeding and exhausted beyond words. My body aching from the strain and my mind so weary as to be devoid of the ability to think further. In the end, with my resources stripped and my mind ravaged by the effort, I look to see the measure of my accomplishment and am awed by the work that remains. In my weariness, when I fall to rest, I look to the next day and realize that I cannot see the end of my tasks and I know not the day of my reward. My life seems futile in this vision and without true gain.

But then, when I have reached the end of my strength and can no longer raise my hands to cover my ears, you patiently and lovingly speak the truth that escapes my world ravaged mind. Finally, the moment has come as you knew it would. I have come to the end of my stubborn determination and realize that I cannot do anything more than to surrender. Now in this moment as I realize my weakness to wield power even over my own life, I look to you with a heart broken and defeated. A spirit of surrender is my only remaining resource and I give in to it. And now the truth comes to answer the questions of my overworked mind ... you own it all. You gave the world for us to live in. Anything that I might do, I done with what you have provided. Everything that I would strive to obtain is in your hand to give and has been all along. Most of the effort I have exerted was in servitude to the purpose of this world and not in service to the purpose for which you created me and gave me this life. Even this life which I have called my own belonged to you. You gave it and all that surrounds me.

All that I sought to gain, you have been waiting to give. Not because I earned it, but because of who you are. You are the glorious and all powerful God who gives life to those who will turn to you in reverent obedience.
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