Surrender - Part 1

               "The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him." 2 Chronicles 16:9

Do you remember the day you committed your life to Christ? I do, and I remember the hymn I sung with gusto.

          "All to Jesus I surrender,                          
                   All to Him I freely give.
                   I will ever love and trust Him,
                   In His presence daily live."

At 11 years of age I meant every word. I was determined to `surrender' all to the Lord. I was a goody-goody and found most temptations easy to pass up. Peer pressure wasn't a real problem as nobody wanted to be around me. When everyone was singing `To Sir With Love', I was singing, `I'm 4ft 11 and I'm going to Heaven'.  (Evie Tornquist)

                   "All to Jesus I surrender
                    Humbly at your feet I bow.
                    Worldly pleasures all forsaken
                    Take me Jesus, take me now."             

At 11 years of age I didn't have a lot of worldly pleasures, so this too wasn't a real problem. But if it came down to it I was sure I could do it. For 3 years (after the Church of Christ Bible College rejected me), I went on the road and toured with Covenant Players - a Christian Theatre Company. We slept most nights in the back of our van or in Church halls, living on small donations from others.  But for me, it was great!

                   "All to Jesus I surrender
                    Make me Saviour, wholly thine.
                    May Thy Holy Spirit fill me
                    May I know thy power divine."

At 11 years of age I knew that the Holy Spirit had entered my life, but it was while touring with Covenant Players that I actually discovered the Holy Spirit in a whole new way.  It was also when I became a great interdenominationalist (now there's a new word).

One of my touring partners was a very committed catholic, and I didn't know that I wasn't allowed to share communion with her in the Catholic Church. It was just natural for me to share this special time with God's people, wherever they worshiped. When I did, my friend was terrified that the devil would strike her down.

Not wanting to offend again, the next time we went to Church together, I stayed in my seat.  But communion was so important to me, I felt I was really missing out, so I asked the Lord to give me something to fill the `hole'. This was the day I received the gift of tongues - not an outward expression - but just something the Lord and I share together now and then when we pray. After that day I also experienced a new power, as I allowed the Holy Spirit to really work in my life.

                    "All to Jesus I surrender
                     Lord I give myself to thee.
                     Fill me with your love and power,      
                     Let Thy blessings fall on me."


At 11 years of age I had great plans. If I couldn't be a minister myself, I would make the best minister's wife ever. My first real love (at age 16) wasn't a Christian. I prayed and prayed for him, though Michael and I ended up going our seperate ways.  Five years later I received a phone call: "Ruth, I'd like you to come to my baptism". Yes! Yes! Then I remembered - I was soon to become an army wife.




It was then I discovered that God not only had a sense of humour, but His plans were better than mine. For 15years as an army wife God gave me so many opportunities to minister and serve in woman's and children's ministries: R.E teaching, Holiday programs, Foster Care and Bible Studies. I saw so many young families come back to Church and to the Lord, after wandering in the wilderness for many years.


Later the Lord led me in a different direction and the last 10 years I have spent as a teacher.  Although my career ended abruptly, I know this was also a pivotal part of God's plan, as I think back on the seeds I have been able to plant in the lives of children and their families, and I hope my colleagues.

                                                 I surrender all, I surrender all.
                                                All to thee my blessed Saviour
                                                I SURRENDER ALL."

Recently, while doing my hymn study - a favourite hobby of mine - I discovered that the author of this hymn was also a teacher.  But he also loved to draw and paint. After only 5 years in the classroom, he felt the Lord leading him to become an evangelist. When he wrote this hymn and truly surrendered his life to Christ, it changed dramatically.

"At last the pivotal hour of my life came and I surrendered all. A new day was ushered in and I discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me." Justin Van De Venter.


For an 11 year old this song had a lot of meaning. Forty years later this hymn has just as much  I am not sure what the next 40 years I am just as sincere in my committment to Christ. I am not sure what the next 40 years will hold,  but one thing I do know, that if I surrender my life to Lord anew each day,  it can only get better.

* Would like to put some more pictures of Covenant Players and school on this BLOG, but without the permission of parents etc. this would be illegal.  Sorry!!