ALL?

My heart raced --- my chest burned --- my lungs could not draw the air in fast enough. The others had passed me long before. But finally, here I stood, relishing the sound of a single click. The click of the stop watch recorded my time and it all came to an end.

In those early days we were required to run a set course. Time measurements were taken as our bodies were pushed to the limit. I gave it my all, yet always finished near the end of the pack. It was frustrating, embarrassing and even discouraging at times. After all these years I still remember those exercises, though today I see this in a different light because of this:

Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins---a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, “The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they’ll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn’t afford---she gave her all.”
Mark 12:41-44 The Message

She gave it her all …

I remember how hard I ran during those exercises. I gave all I had, yet at the end it was as though I were taking a leisurely stroll when compared to the others. Perhaps the widow, too, was embarrassed, frustrated or even discouraged. Yet in her deep devotion to God, she gave her all. She chose to press forward, regardless of how others measured her, regardless of how futile her efforts may have appeared.

And what of our efforts? Are we prompted to do things yet hesitate? Are we giving Christ our all regardless of what He asks of us? Will we look more to our standing among our peers or will we give Him our all, looking to God for His approval? What will He see as the resounding click of the stop watch marks the end of our work?

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might …
Ecclesiastes 9:10 NKJV


Blessings ….
Tanja Dufrene
Women’s Ministries
Lakeside-Highpointe