I met the most extraordinary person last week! I was in Juarez, Mexico, and began a conversation with a Non-Denominational Christian missionary in her 50’s from Austria. My interest peaked as we had the following (although condensed) conversation:

“How long have you been a missionary here?”

“I’ve been here thirty years!”

“How did you end up in Juarez, Mexico?

“God sent me here!”

“How do you live? How are you funded?”

“I rely only on what God gives me. He takes care of all my needs!” (She lives simply with no telephone, no television, no Internet) She continued:

“Whenever I need money, it just seems to come in varied and miraculous ways.”

I was stunned, and in awe. Finally, I inquired, “So…what is your motivation to make this huge sacrifice?” She simply said: “I just want to help people love Jesus!”  

Amazing! It’s an uncomplicated life she leads. She just focuses on God, and he leads her where she needs to be. She told me that she was like a fish under water that swims around freely and joyfully, never feeling the effect of the storms above.  It didn’t matter what the headlines were, she wasn’t aware of them. All she knew was the love of God, and she had been sharing that for 30 years with everyone she met. Her life was completely powered by Christ and His grace. As we talked about Jesus, I knew He was the most real person in her life. She had given up everything to share His love, but it was obvious that she received many of His choicest blessings in return. She radiated pure joy.

How much do we love Jesus? How do we demonstrate this love in our lives? Is He the power source we choose to plug into?

Joseph Smith taught that “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation; for, from the first existence of man, the faith necessary unto the enjoyment of life and salvation never could be obtained without the sacrifice of all earthly things.” (Lectures on Faith 6:7)  How much are WE willing to sacrifice to be His disciples? Consecration is just that; our WILLINGNESS to render ALL to God, and that willingness demonstrates our level of faithfulness.

Many people feel guilty when this topic comes up. They feel like, “I just don’t have time to do everything that the Church requires in my busy, important life. It’s too much for God to ask of me.” To be clear, the Lord doesn’t want us to give our ALL to Him, because He needs it. He wants us to give our ALL to Him so that He can shower down blessings that have already been predicated in the heavens for our good. He wants us to focus on Him so that He can turn our red lights green, part our Red Seas, open difficult doors and soften our hearts to help us reach our true potential.

Joseph Smith taught, “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (D & C 130:20-21) He knows that when we LIVE the “laws” he has given us, we will absolutely receive those promised blessings. It’s heavenly science. The more we give, and are willing to give, The more He gives US.

There may be those who are resentful to give of their resources to the Lord, but is there anyone who doesn’t want to be blessed? When we offer more of our hearts, souls and means to build up Zion, He will give us more.

When we can come to the point where we give our all to the Lord, we begin to live in grace. All our needs are met; we live with more light, protection, and power.

You may have lost your health, house, job, reputation, or loved ones, but when you lay your everything on the altar, and give it to Him, He will give you succor, sustenance and peace beyond description. He eventually will repay every kindness, effort or sacrifice that you render for His sake.

Every day we need to decide how much of ourselves we will consecrate to the Lord. How much do we love Jesus? Enough to give Him our ALL? How many blessings are we willing to receive today? Everything is set in motion for us to receive them, if we are willing to do what it takes. We can choose to be POWERED by Christ!

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