Articles
I Surrender All
It goes against human nature to surrender. Only in a hopeless situation with no way out will we consider it. In every field of endeavor we want to win not lose. Ironically, in our relationship with our Lord, surrender means victory. When we surrender all to our Lord and Savior we win.
Judson van de Venter conveyed the idea well in his most famous hymn, “I Surrender All.” Born in Michigan in 1855 he attended college, earned a degree in Art, then worked as an art teacher and as a painter. Recognizing his talent for preaching his friends urged him to go into the ministry full-time. In his own words here is what happened next and how this song came to be.
“The song was written while I was conducting a meeting at East Palestine, Ohio, in the home of George Sebring. For some time I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord, He caused me to sing.”1
Not all need to be a full-time evangelists but all need to surrender all to our Lord. The decision is against our nature. But when we give all to Him there is peace. And His blessings surely will fall on us. Have you surrendered all?
