I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.—Philippians 3:8 ESV
Betty Scott grew up in China, where her parents were missionaries. During college, Betty penned a prayer of unconditional surrender to Jesus:
Lord, I give up my own plans and purposes, all my own desires, hopes and ambitions, and I accept Thy will for my life. I give up myself, my life, my all, utterly to Thee, to be Thine forever. I hand over to Thy keeping all of my friendships; all the people whom I love are to take second place in my heart. Fill me now and seal me with Thy Spirit. Work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, for to me to live is Christ. Amen. 1
Betty returned to China in 1931 to serve with China Inland Mission and later married John Stam. Weeks after the birth of their daughter, they were taken hostage by Communist soldiers and beheaded. Although some might consider the cost exorbitant, I’m confident that Betty, having laid down her life for Christ, wouldn’t think the price too high.
1 Betty Scott Stam, 1925, quoted in Elisabeth Elliot, Quest for Love (Grand Rapids, MI: Revell, 1996), 131.
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Surrender: The Heart God Controls ©2003, 2005 Revived Hearts Foundation
Scripture taken from The ESV
Make it Personal
Re-read Betty Stam’s prayer and make it your own. How does knowing of Christ’s sacrifice help you to follow Him?